Authentic Paint and Modifying a Rubber Blanket?

[Robert C Milton]

Howdy y'all!

I have read of soldiers painting the cloth side of their rubber blankets for use in playing checkers, chuck-a-luck, and other games. However, I am not about to take just any ol' paint to my investment. What paints might have been used in period for such a purpose, and what modern equivalents are out there?

Thanks!

 

[UnionistMarylander]

Howdy y'all!

I have read of soldiers painting the cloth side of their rubber blankets for use in playing checkers, chuck-a-luck, and other games. However, I am not about to take just any ol' paint to my investment. What paints might have been used in period for such a purpose, and what modern equivalents are out there?

Thanks!

If you wanted to use the blanket for different games, I would use charcoal to mark it temporarily.

 

[captaindrew]

Not an expert on paint enough to know what would be 100 percent correct but I certainly wouldn't experiment with my good gum blanket. One of the guys in my group made a checker board on a scrap piece of canvas and folds it up in his knapsack. I'd do that and see if I could find some period images of game boards and try and match it best you can.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Howdy y'all!

I have read of soldiers painting the cloth side of their rubber blankets for use in playing checkers, chuck-a-luck, and other games. However, I am not about to take just any ol' paint to my investment. What paints might have been used in period for such a purpose, and what modern equivalents are out there?

Thanks!

I agree with Captain Drew. We had a piece of scrap cloth that we drew a checkerboard on with dark drawing pencil I think and scribbled in the dark squares with a bullet tip or something handy. Worked great! Less filling! Anyway, easy to do and is a great bedroll stuffer or haversack or pocket. Easy to lay out with acorns for one side and buttons or bullets or rocks for the other. Wont find a better period camp scene detail. Oohs and Ahs from the crowd.
Drawing or painting on my rain gear/bedding seems a bit much. Could be cool though with a variety of game boards on it. Just not Twister.

 

[7thWisconsin]

OK - I'll confess. I painted a checkerboard and backgammon board on the inside of my rubber blanket. I just used black rustoleum. It was convenient and looked great.