Keagy-Noble blanket

[rmeyer]

I was wondering if anyone who had one of these blankets could give me the skinny on it. I am looking for a heavy US regulation (as near to 5 lbs as possible) to go along with my Wisconsin vet museum blanket, I want something like Childs use to have, is the blanket close to those specs? if not is there one on the market today (Childs is no longer making these and will no longer make these, this is from the horses mouth).

Thanks
Ryan Meyer

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

If you want heavy, the Keagy-Noble is not it. I would place that somewhere between the WVM and NJS's. The weave, color, and everything else about it compares very favorably to other originals, including weight. Not every Fed blanket comformed to the "standard". I've had one blanket from every quality vendor at one point or the other, and the K-N stacks up to all. If you want the heavy 5 pounder, the NJS model is indeed a fine one as well.

[westcoastcampaigner]

The Keagy/Noble Federal issue blanket is made by Waterside Woolen Mills, a company that was producing blankets during the war. I will say that I have one of these blankets and it is superb and very warm. I would say it weighs around 3.5 to 4 lbs. It has US hand stitched in the center and is long enough to wrap around your feet and head on cold nights. I also have a Charlie Childs blanket that weighs 5 or 6 lbs. but on a long march feels like it weighs a ton and I rarely use it because of that fact. Trust me...the Keagy/Noble blanket will keep you warm and won't break your back on the march. I have been very happy with mine and would highly recommend it. Bill Lomas at EJ Thomas carries them and Regimental Quartermaster in Gettysburg currently has one or two for sale on their showroom floor. I've listed the link to Bill's site below. Hope that helps.

http://www.ejtmercantile.com/catalog...39/5265854.htm

Best Regards,

Josh Sawyer
Liberty Rifles

[ILYankee5]

I've got a K-N from N.J.S. and am very well pleased with the quality of it. It is very heavy and is great on a cold night. As far as authenticity it fits the bill!!

[ajroscoe]

I have yet to buy my own, buy I feel I should point out that while not an approved vendor, C & D Jarnagin also carries the Keagy/Noble.

[lambrew]

I have one and love it. It kept me nice and toasty at Marmaduke's. It gets heavy after marching for awhile. Well worth the money. Andy give me a call about borrowing mine for ITPW.

Respectfully....
Sean Collicott

[August77]

I just looked at two more 'pieces' of original blankets this past weekend and I'm still amazed at how close the Keagy/Noble blanket is to the originals. It does not weigh in at 5 lbs. but neither do all existing originals.

I've got a K-N from N.J.S. and am very well pleased with the quality of it. It is very heavy and is great on a cold night. As far as authenticity it fits the bill!!

I'm a little confused here, but I thought NJS only sold his 5lbs. blanket and not the Keagy/Noble? The NJS blankets are made on modern looms (at least they were when I carried them, maybe he has changed this since then) and the edges/sides have a 'tucked selvage' which is wrong for our period and is a characteristic of modern technology. The Keagy/Noble by Waterside is made on period shuttle looms and therefor is correct in every aspect.

[Secechsoldier]

I have 3 of the K-Nobles! There very nice Blankets and work great for Cold windy nights in the field(-; I picked my first K and N up a Cedar creek back in 2006 and my first one still is going strong.

Out of all the Fed blankets I have looked at the K and Noble is the one to go with in my book.

__________________
W.Verbal
50Th Va. Inf. Co. H.
Army Northern Virginia 2ND Core
Wigfall Mess, East Tennessee

[markj]

Some of you might enjoy this "random writeup" of mine, which I originally intended to turn into an article some years ago. Perhaps someone might take a shot at reproducing this item, since it may be one of the best preserved--and least known--of its kind in existence.

Yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[ILYankee5]

Right you are Mr. Lomas, entirely my fault. I was confused. I stand corrected. Thank you for straightening me out on the types. Many apologies to all I led astray.