New Federal Issue Blanket by Tim Sheads, S&S Sutler

[GreencoatCross]

I just wanted to give some praise to Tim Sheads of S&S Sutler for an absolutely stunning Federal issue blanket! I first saw these in person at Manassas and understood right away that I was going to own one. The color, weight, and coarseness of yarn composition/weave make this blanket, IMO, the hands-down best reproduction currently available.

Tim was also able to fill a split-decision order for a half-dozen army hat pins. The attention to detail in the stampings surpasses that of some originals I've seen, and they are far beyond the quality of most "sutler row" hat pins that are usually flimsy, poorly stamped, and tarnished.

[Kanawha Riflemen]

Yes, I will second that with the Federal blankets that Tim Sheads has in stock. I seen these up close and I too in a week or two will own one.

John A. Miller
South Mountain State Battlefield
Monterey Pass Battlefield

[prestontoprail]

If you don't mind me asking, is it of the "grey" like variety or the "brown" like variety?

[cprljohnivey]

Family Heirloom Weavers was making them for Tim correct?

[GreencoatCross]

Preston, I would describe it as closer to gray-brown than most currently available reproductions that are tan, brown, or green-brown. Wonderfully coarse mixed wool yarn that has not been carbonized, so it has some vegetable matter and a little bit of light colored shoddy. The stripes are dark brown but not very pronounced, and the "US" is the 3-line chain stitched variety.

Family Heirloom Weavers did make these for Tim. Pat had several rolls of blankets at the mill and more on the loom, so they will be in good supply!

[mike44thva]

Originally Tim had some (I think 25) made with the black stripe and had both at Manassas.

[Huck]

I saw the federal blanket when I was at Manasass, I thought it looked very close to the "NPS" federal blanket made 30 some years ago. if I didnt have 2 County Cloth Federal blankets and a Wis Vet, I would have been all over this one.

[mike44thva]

When I was at Tim's shop in Gettysburg he pulled out his NPS blanket and put it side by side with his, and while both are nice, I'd take Tim's any day. Just my ¢¢.

[GreencoatCross]

Here is a photo of the new blanket from S&S.

[dixieflyer]

Thanks for the image Brian. I t look similar to my NHS blanket in weave, but totally different color. I sure wouldn't mind having one, but I have a blanket problem.