Classic vintage CANVAS TENTS

[PADDY]

Gents - the problem is, I'm based in the UK (Across the pond from you chaps). I've been searching on the WWW for a UK based supplier (and they are out there, offering various weights for tarpaulin), but THE PRICE is steep for a 2x2 metre piece of 'olive' (military green) duck canvas!! I did find a reasonably priced place in Cornwall (miles from most places in the UK in the SW), but their postage costs were prohibitive. *sigh*
I didn't think it would be this difficult to be honest.

 

[Renault]

Paddy,

What's really disturbing is that you are having such a go at locating a tent in what was once THE the preimere country where such things were manufactured!!!!!! I'm sorry my new found friend. Wish we could do something to make your search better!!!! We'll keep at it!!!!!!

Bonne Chance!

Renault Sahib

 

[PADDY]

I KNOW there must be batches of NOS duck canvas lying in some old forgotten compound of an Army Stores. There must have been loads of it just burnt or thrown into land-fill sites over the years. It's trying to find the stuff and not paying an arm-and-a-leg for it.
Have sourced my 12" pegs!!

 

[J.D. Hunt]

Canvas Tents

Gentlemen, I've been considering getting an old fashioned traditional canvas tent for some time now.
Only two years ago a relation of mine had an original 1930's (complete with wooden pegs..etc) Scouting Bell Tent. When I asked him recently if he would think about getting rid of it (to me!), he asked me "why do you want that sort of old rubbish?" and then proceeded to inform me that he had 'cut it up' and taken it to the local council dump!! The pegs were the only useful thing, as they had made good fire starters. :rage:

I KNOW, we ALL will have some sort of horror story like that!!

Anyway...I'm after an original (if I can get one) bell tent or wall tent from the 30's-40's (probably from the UK, as they are too heavy to post).

Last resort is, that there are companies in the UK who are making them to the old specs, but at £300 and upwards, that's A LOT OF WONGA!!

I've really started to get back into my tent camping, but fancied something a little bit different to my old one man tent (which can be more like a bivvy bag!). Thanks, Paddy.

Paddy, they may not ship to every place on earth, but they manufacture almost every kind of canvas shelter you can think of. Their location is www.pantherprimitives.com

J.D. Hunt

 

[Heeresbergführer]

Greetings Paddy,

Here's an UK surplus shop that sells original WWII British Army 2-man tents, as well as USGI Pup tents:

http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/military/select.asp

Regards,
Patrick

 

[PADDY]

The 'ABOVE' site is a company I'm going to contact now that you've flagged it (so THANKYOU!!).
A possibility is buying a 'pup' tent and cannabalising it for a ground sheet and anything else I can salvage to get my Brit Tent up and running. At those prices (for the second hand used one) I may as well go for it.

 

[Baggers]

Here's a reproduction British tent I recently picked up. Solid canvas construction with sewn in tub floor, wooden poles with brass fittings, and wooden pegs. It was described as being a 1 person tent but with a floor that measures 7 feet by 6 feet 6 inches it will definitely fit two friendly people, especially when the side pullouts are used.

I'm really looking forward to getting some use out it.

Cheers

 

[Renault]

That is a nice tent! I like it!!!!!!!

Well done Baggers!

Renault Sahib

 

[Baggers]

Thanks. It's a real piece of work, with hand stitched grommets at the peak for the poles and at other places. The poles themselves are two piece, with brass sockets and bottom end caps. Brass eyelets spliced are on to parts of the main guy lines and side pullouts where rub wear is anticipated. It has one screened vent window on the back wall with a flap that can be raised and lowered from inside and the door is secured with white HBT tie tapes. It also has pockets on the inside side walls. Plenty of room inside for me, my bedroll, and a small piece or two of camp furniture to set a candle lantern or larger light source on. It's probably too much to expect to be able to get my cot in there, but I'm thinking of getting a small Persian style carpet to add a little character and perhaps a another one for just outside the door to help keep from tracking in debris. I also have a couple of groundsheets I can use as well. I probably paid too much for it, but it was a small experimental run produced by the vendor, and you have to admit, it's just too good looking not to have.

 

[mrbieler]

Best of luck finding an original. Even NOS will most likely be stored improperly leaving you with rotten old canvas. I have a nice a old British WWII pup tent. With a lot of work, it's still serviceable, but it's far from ideal. They were relatively common a few years ago.

I gave up the ghost and purchased a reproduction wall tent which will serve me well for years to come. For my $0.02, I would keep filling the penny jar and belly up with new made. Buy once. Cry once.

 

[mrbieler]

Meant to include some pics. It was nice have a modern well made tent this past April when we got a late season snow storm while camping. Would not have been as happy in my vintage tent...

Thankfully the storm blew through and we were clear (but still very cold) 24 hours later.

 

[Indy_Rhodes]

Wow mrbieler... that's a fabulous looking campsite you have there. Loving the open mess tent.

 

[mrbieler]

Thank you. It's a bit of a PITA to cart in and set up, but camping in comfort can be a blast.

 

[PADDY]

What make of tents? They're lovely!

 

[mrbieler]

Tentsmiths is the maker. They are made of Sunbrella fabric. No floor on these, but I have an inexpensive roll out bamboo one I use that almost fills it.

Mine is the one on the left. Just a standard wall tent. The one in the rear and the awning are reproductions US Army WWII tentage from WWII Impressions. We didn't put up my awning (also from Tentsmiths) at this event.

Unfortunately, Tentsmiths is in New England. Can't imagine what freight would cost to you.

 

[Oldsarge]

Having camped in every form of military tent from shelter half (which saved my freezing butt!) to a GP Medium (which I agree can be erected by two experienced NCO's in under an hour) I commend all you hardy souls who wish to continue doing so. However, with my collection of infirmities and a wife who is has even more difficulty getting around we will hail you from the campsite where our forthcoming teardrop trailer will be sitting. Wall tents rock, if only because you can put folding furniture in them and be far more comfortable. I have slept my last night on the ground, period. Happy trails, gentlemen.

 

[mrbieler]

LOL. Did my time rolled up in a ground cloth or rain cape before I got a shelter half then a pup tent. Those days were fun, but the were long ago. Wall tent with a floor and a cot is my preferred method.

It's a lot easier to carry the mixed drink ingredients and ice when you're not living out of a backpack...

Comfort camping is where it's at.

 

[PADDY]

Yes - New England is just a tad too far for me to be getting a tent! sadly. *I may* just take the plunge and get a canvas Bell Tent at some point. Jury's out on this one for now. Great looking tents though (above), thanks.

 

[J.D. Hunt]

Baggers, As RS said great find. If you can find one, a strecher well keep you off the ground. Who was the vendor. JDH

 

[MPicciotto]

Baggers, As RS said great find. If you can find one, a strecher well keep you off the ground. Who was the vendor. JDH

I used a stretcher several times. I found it too short for me (my feet would hang off) as well as a tad narrow for my shoulders and made sleeping difficult and unpleasant. I know at least one time I gave up on the stretcher and DID sleep on the ground.

Matt