1900's "Bushcraft" Blanket Sleeping Bag

From back when "Bushcraft" was called "Camping", this is the Jaeger Blanket Bag made between 1897 and the late 1920s. I passed on one of these a few years ago, but there wasn't anybody on KZbin who could tell me how to identify 100 year old camping gear back then.
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[@asmith7876]

Yet another product from previous generations that I'm astonished isn't still produced. Brilliant!

[@sargevining]

Yah, you'd think that something like this might have an audience out there. I may have found a blanket of the right size to make a replica of this, but not sure if the material is going to make a good sleeping bag. I bought one to give it a shot. Will do a video if it turns out. Thanks for watching!

[@Gator-357]

Interesting that it uses a button system. At the start of this video, I was thinking about the sleeping bags that we used in the 70s and 80s. They were army surplus wool blankets that my grandfather installed buttons and button holes on in a similar fashion. They were very warm and cozy once you got in and buttoned up but were not the fastest to get out of if you had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

[@sargevining]

Yep, one step down from the actual Jaeger bag, but just as warm---if you don't count the need for shoulder and head protection. We used the WW2 Army wool mummy bag, same warmth as the ones your Granddad made, and just as difficult to get out of. But they were about 50 cents at Mickey Finns and a "real" sleeping bag was about a dollar.

[@smoothvern165]

Very cool piece of gear! I’ve read that camel hair wool is very warm. Thanks for explaining the true use of the buttons.

[@sargevining]

It is, and at the price it better be! I could kick myself for not recognizing the first one I saw, it was about half what I paid for this. Of course, back then there wasn't a KZbin channel that told folks about old camping gear----

[@michalurbanful]

Now that's something! If that blanket was wider (so the bag would be longer, I'm 6"3) I'd happily buy this now. Having a thick wool blanket that could be converted into a sleeping bag, that would truly be awesome!

[@sargevining]

I've look at King Size wool blankets and, while they would make a button up bag of suitable length as well as making a wider bag, I haven't found any with the combination of economy pricing and/or suitability for outdoor use. Most of them are the foo foo stuff your wife would buy. The hunt continues!

[@dankingjr.2088]

People who actually had to use this gear figured out what worked. Nifty item.

[@sargevining]

I'm sure there were instructions included with it when it came from the factory, but it looks like the previous owner didn't save them---

[@samurguybriyongtan146]

Fascinating stuff. Long time camper and Eagle scout and learning in about this tech and know how is very interesting!

[@s.maskell7134]

This is a grown-up's version of swaddling. Mothers know best.

[@sargevining]

One of the points I hope to make with this channel is "Everything old is new again." The concepts and methods basically remain the same, just the materials used have changed. Thanks for watching!

[@sargevining]

Hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right. Thanks for watching!

[@lessharratt8719]

I like your style. And the knowledge you bring.

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching, and the compliment. I passed on the first one of these that I saw because I didn't know what it was, but that was before there was somebody on KZbin telling folks how to identify old camping gear. Thanks again!

[@Zaggrippas]

Great channel! 😃 Greetings from Sweden 👋🇸🇪 I my self is currently looking for oldschool hike euquitment for my trip here in Sweden. Nordic military has some fantastic things

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching! You might want to try making your own. Prior to about 1920, that was more common than "store bought" camping gear.

[@tomconway8881]

Greatly enjoyed your video. Thanks

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching!

[@Peakoilcompany]

Great to have found you! Your video was recommended at the end of my chair frame pack video, and I can see why. I have a lot to learn from you, and I hope you like my innovations in the period gear and ideas. I'm trying to remove all the plastic from camping the clothing and equipment I'm making, and gaining insight on the old ways is very helpful. Thank you very much. I'm looking forward to seeing your other videos.

[@sargevining]

I watched you chair pack video, interesting concept. I also like the anorak and am looking for designs for a shoulder/hood arrangement for use with the button up sleeping bag, suggestions?

[@Peakoilcompany]

@@sargevining if I've understood correctly, I would create a mini poncho.. it covers the shoulders, down to just below the arm pits, with a tape connecting the chest to the back side of that panel, to hold it under the armpits. At the head is a hood folded like I do with the recent anorak, with a basic button up neck. Alternatively, a Skjoldeham Medieval Hood, would do it too.. very similar concept.

[@sargevining]

@@Peakoilcompany I should have thought of the mini-poncho. It is likely the easiest thing that folks could make. A blanket anorak might also work well. I looked at the medieval hood, but I think the mini-poncho would work best. Might even incorporate it was an insulated addition to a simple slit opening rain poncho for cold weather.

[@Raykenn1]

Enjoyed your video thanks for posting 👍

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@cordellkent4790]

Thanks Sarge. Greatly appreciate this.

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching! Glad you're finding content you enjoy.

[@gegner05]

Love your old style bushcraft and gear videos And also i think the button up technic is genius, i have a HBC point style blanket im thinking to sew it up in a similar way Also im first here 😂 Keep it up You are doing great work Greetings from Germany

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching! I hope to do a video on how to make one but finding a modern blanket of the right size that normal folks can afford isn't as easy as I thought it might be.

[@gegner05]

@@sargevining I got the blanket via eBay, it did cost me ~130€ its about 180x240cm ~70x94in I used it already in a similar style of folding it but it didn't stay that way cause i had no buttons on it

[@sargevining]

@@gegner05 What I found interesting about it was that it was folded widthwise rather than lengthwise as is the usual case with blanket folding methods, but it does end up with a warmer bag as you've got two layers on top, you just have to solve the problem of an exposed head.

[@mario_werren]

Hoi Viele Dank das du Denn Jäger Sack ein Video gemacht hast. Ich mach mir auch so ein Jäger Sack. Aus 2 Wolldecke aus der Schweiz Armee. Dein Humor ist super Gruß Mario

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching! I may have found a blanket that will allow us to make a replica of this Jaeger blanket. Ordered it today and will see what its like when it gets here.

[@mario_werren]

@@sargevining ich Hoffe das du Glück hast. Ich nehme 2 Wolldecke von der Schweiz Armee. Ich habe noch Genügend. Mach weiter so gut Video Mario

[@behumbledlife8929]

Ok I want one.. awesome

[@sargevining]

I'm looking at different blankets for making one. If I do, there certainly will be a video in the Sportsman's Workshop playlist on how to make them. I'm also going to be selling the stuff I make in the "How To" videos. If I had a good time making it, I'll make a couple, if it was a PITA, I'll just sell the one. Very informal, will be selling on a Facebook Page I've set up called VICO Expedition Outfitters. I'm in the process of gathering things and taking pics. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesellsworth9673]

It would have taken me forever to figure out how to button the foot box. While it would not be authentic, how would you feel about adding a collar piece so a fella could hunker down in that bag, if needed?

[@sargevining]

That might be an option now that you mention it. IIRC the Jaeger hood included a shoulder cover--kind of like cutting the body of a hoodie about 2" below the armpit. I just saw an Ebay auction where some guy had added an extension to the foot end of a WW2 wool sleeping bag. Apparently he was a little taller than most of us.

[@user-ft1xf8wk9m]

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching!

[@marcdewilde518]

Another great video Sir! Just one remark if I may. At 6 :11 in the video you mention Dr Cust probably means Dr customer. To me it is not Cust but Gust. If you compare the G in Jaeger with the identical letter in Gust it's obvious that it's just an abbreveation for Gustav (Jaeger). ATB from Flanders (Belgium)

[@sargevining]

Great googly moogly, you're right! I should have thought of that. Thanks for watching and thanks for the correction!

[@57WillysCJ]

I would love the bag but at $300 a yard not in the cards. I did plan of adding fleece toone of my Trapper Nelsons. I see a hide of sherling is $130 no. I am glad I have some squirled away. When I hung out with a western saddle maker I could get pieces but not any more.

[@sargevining]

Yah, I'm still looking for a wool blanket of the right size to replicate this. It needs to be wider than 65" and longer than 84". What I'm finding are blankets that only fit one of those dimensions.

[@cordellkent4790]

Sarge, in your closing video. It looks like you have a mighty fine haversack. Are these commercially available and if so, where please?

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching! Technically, these are called musette bags (watch my video " When is a Haversack Not A Haversack" and there'sa couple more on the channel). They're available from What Price Glory and generally cost about $45 plus shipping. However, they're incredibly popular and are often out of stock. I'm on his mailing list and get notifications of new items and restock so when I see he's restocked them I put out an announcement on the Bannerman's Camp Facebook page. So if he's out of stock now, join us on the page and you'll know when they're back in stock.

[@cordellkent4790]

@@sargevining Three stripe: Thank you very much. Here in this part of Australia it’s 03:56 (am) Saturday, so I’m about to go ‘lights out’. But will look into it tomorrow

[@cordellkent4790]

Btw: 45 years ago I was a one stripe.

[@cordellkent4790]

@@sargevining Thanks Sarge. I found that Very Informative post. Wow. Not only did I learn about musette bags but also the origins of the word ‘camping’. No wonder the bag you were wearing in that clip I first mentioned caught my eye! I also found ‘What Price Glory’ on the web and they have them currently available for US$55 plus shipping. I greatly appreciate your kind help. One stipe.

[@stevencunningham4680]

This is a very cool piece of vintage gear. It seems like it would be awkward to put together in the field. You need a large flat area to fold and button up , if you laid it on the ground it'll get dirty. All in all I like it but for simplicity sake I'll stick with a modern bag.

[@sargevining]

Thanks for watching! Granted that, as a blanket, it has more utility in a Base Camp or cabin scenario where having the option to use as a blanket or bag would be a good one to have. That being said, it also gives one the opportunity to have a sleeping bag to take on short overnights away from base without having to pack one in addition to the blanket, and you would make it into a sleeping bag on your cot before leaving camp. I'd also assume that including a waterproof ground pad would also be part of that overnight kit. Granted, not optimum for modern day use, but for what those guys were doing and the way they were doing it, especially at a time when there weren't a lot of commercial bags and those that existed were fairly expensive, its a viable option.

[@smd482000]

Hay sarge let me know i would mine having a pair

[@sargevining]

The page is already up on Facebook, but there's no content right now as I'm in the middle of making them and digging out old projects. Once that's done I'll likely make an announcement video.