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MODEL 1885 US ARMY BARRACKS BEDDING BLANKET – IN
VERY GOOD CONDITION: This Indian War era M1885
Bedding Blanket, as described in the Quartermaster
Regulations, January 9, 1885, features the correct blue
wool body with 3” wide dark blue stripes at each end.
The blanket measures 78” long and 61.5” wide, very close
to the original dimensions and well within the range of
shrinkage normally encountered in these blankets as
caused by the aging of the wool and repeated washings
through the years.
Overall in very good
condition, the blanket has several noticeable, but small
moth nips as shown in the photo below, but these do not
affect the integrity of the weave nor do they detract
from the quality of the blanket on display. When
originally issued, these blankets had a “U.S.” stenciled
with ink or paint in the center of the blanket, but as
with this specimen, this marking soon wore away with use
and cleaning and is seldom found intact.
As you can imagine, these blankets did not survive in
great numbers due to the hard use they experienced in
service and as they passed on as surplus to the
multitude of post-army agencies, charities and retail
stores they were simply used up with little to no regard
for their historical value. This blanket is a scarce
piece of Indian War soldier’s equipment, particularly in
this condition
and it will certainly add
to your collection, displayed with an soldier’s field
kit, on a Model 1872 Barracks Bed, or rolled up on the
cantle of an Indian War saddle. $595
NOTE: THE LIGHT STREAKS SHOWING ON THE BLANKET IN THE
PHOTOGRAPHS ARE RAYS OF SUNLIGHT SHINING ON THE BLANKET
AND NOT FADING, BLEACHED AREAS, OR DISCOLORATION IN THE
MATERIAL.
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