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MODEL 1876 US ARMY BARRACKS BEDDING BLANKET – VERY
NICE EARLY SPECIMEN: Dating from the Custer
era, this Indian Wars Model 1876 Bedding Blanket, as
described on page 152 of
Randy Stephen’s “The Horse
Soldier 1776-1943, Volume II”, features the correct blue
gray body with 2 ˝” dark blue stripes at each end.
One of the most basic
pieces of the standard equipment issued to each frontier
soldier, these blankets saw heavy service in both the
barracks and in the field, surviving in very limited
numbers today.
The blanket measures 71” long and 62 ˝” 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 TO excellent
condition, this blanket has a small patch of moth
tracks, a small stain and a small notch in one edge –
all shown in the photograph below. None of these small
flaws 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 early Indian Wars
bedding blanket is a scarce item, particularly when
found in this condition, and it will certainly add to
your collection, displayed with a 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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