This poncho a very scarce piece of field gear that displays well and survives in very limited numbers. This measures about 43 ½ inches wide by 71 inches long (not flattened out completely,) which corresponds to a Civil War one in the Minnesota Hist. Soc. recorded by Babits as 44.25 by 72 inches, but this is also roughly the dimensions of the 1889 pattern, 45 by 72 inches, and the use of a hollow-base stud and rivet forming a short post, rather than a sewn button, to close the neck hole, pushes us to a postwar date - the use and placement of the 16 brass grommets fits that dating as well. See Babits’s 1995 article in the CMH journal on rubber blankets and ponchos recovered from the U.S. transport Maple Leaf and Woshner’s excellent book on gutta-percha and rubber products of the period for details and discussion of wartime design and variations.

Adopted early in the Civil War, the government had purchased on contract some 1,703,401 rubber blankets and 1,160,133 ponchos by war’s end, with an unknown, but large number purchased privately or supplied by the states. The government thus had large numbers still available after the war, but inspectors noted deterioration after a decade or two in storage

(likely what one modern conservator referred to as “spontaneous hardening” of the rubber) leading to a large sell-off of the remaining surplus in the 1880s as cheap civilian raingear. This cleared the way for new purchases and a more rigorously enforced specifications.

This is in very good condition and unmarked, except for a handwritten “1x8” or “148,” possibly suggesting a private or state purchase, though Babits noted that in the case of Civil War rubber blankets, many were unmarked since the makers were infringing on a Goodyear patent and did not wish to be identified. The body is relatively supple and the surface is very good, showing creases and folds, but none of the severe cracking, crazing or finish loss often shown. The narrow band reinforcing the edges is fully in place, as are all 16 brass grommets with their square reinforcements. These are evenly spaced, as is correct for the poncho, with blankets omitting the opening for the head and adding an extra set for lacing it around the neck if to be worn. The fabric lining shows some stains, but has no tears and is fully intact and in place.

This is a very scarce piece of field gear. As with the earlier versions, they were too useful around the farm or ranch to be left in an attic by a veteran.    [sr] [ph:m]

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