"What colour were Russian blanket rolls?" Topic

This has been bothering me for sometime. I see photos, references, and painted miniatures which depict the blanket rolls as either a kind of brownish kaki to some type of grey. Is there a consensus as to the "offical" colour, or did the colours change during certain periods?

ilodic

Brownish-grey is what I've used.

perry's have grey on their recent releases.

They were made from wool, hemp or similar material. Brownish and grayish shades are natural shades of wool. I don't think that they dyed it any specific color.

Weren't these actually their great coats that were rolled up and slung across the shoulder, blanket roll style?

I've seen it described as being the same color as brown wrapping paper, like paper grocery bags. Maybe a bit darker.

greatcoats.. a Шинель (shinel) in the Russian and it varies..probably as good a shade as any..

all are more modern than that on the Perry's figures but the concept remained unchanged untill the advent of khaki in the late 50s

Great coats, never thought of that. Makes sense though, as you never see "blanket rolls" over the greatcoat.

ilodic

Russian greatcoats (along with those wonderful Budenovka hats) are made from matted dog hair, glued together with a gruel made from goat intestines.

Therefore, any shade from grey through to 'wolf brown' are appropriate. It depends on the breed of dog who was the donor for that coat.

They are also the warmest and driest things you can ever be fortunate enough to wear in bad weather. Perfect to sleep in as well during the a night in the elements.

Thanks Steve!

ilodic

Just do some units in grey and some in a drab tan and you can't go wrong.

Dog Hair….really?