Classic vintage CANVAS TENTS

[Renault]

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.

I can certainly vouch for the quality of Tentsmith's products. I've had one of their wall tents since before they called themselved Tentsmiths! About 27 years now!

Renault Sahib

 

[Baggers]

I got the tent from What Price Glory, but it isn't on the web site. Jerry started a thread on it in his vendor subforum at Splendid Little Wars. This is his first run and I decided to play beta tester. There's a couple of manufacturing faults with this first batch, but nothing that can't be corrected or improved in the next one. If anyone is interested, PM me and I'll supply the details.

As stated earlier, I have a cot but it might not fit. If not, I'll just have to make do with whatever mattress pad I can find that fits my bedroll. I don't mind sleeping on the ground once I get some sort of padding. And remember, the tent has a sewn in tub floor so it won't be sleeping in the dirt. At any rate, looks like the whole rig will be getting it's baptism of fire at the CAF's Airsho 2011 in October, so I have a bit of time to get everything sorted out.

 

[Renault]

Baggers,

I believe Coleman's surplus still has a bunch of the French Army roll up sleeping mats available. They are more like a mini mattress with actual batting than a pad. They tie up nicely for transport. Might google them for a weblink.

Renault

 

[Baggers]

Thanks, Renault, I'll check it out. My bedroll has a pocket which I'm figuring is intended for a pad. So if I can find something that fits, great. If not, I can fold up a blanket.

 

[mrbieler]

I took Jerry's new repro officers bed roll and inserted 4" memory foam into the sleeve. Bulky, but it's not a bad way to sleep on the ground.


I'll have to ask him about your tent when I call him. He always has something up his sleeve.

 

[Philip A.]

Interesting thread!

Does anyone have pictures of classic safari tents, of the type used in the late 1800-early 1900 in East and Southern Africa? I'd like to make some for use in the bush. The modern ripstop canvas tents made in South Africa are good, but boring... and really not classy!

 

[Renault]

Interesting thread!

Does anyone have pictures of classic safari tents, of the type used in the late 1800-early 1900 in East and Southern Africa? I'd like to make some for use in the bush. The modern ripstop canvas tents made in South Africa are good, but boring... and really not classy!

hey Philip,

As soon as I am able I'll try to get you some pics posted. Have a few in various places. Busy as all heck right now preparing to go to the mtns in Colorado for a week or so. In the meantime, Maybe JD Hunt (here on the forum) will post some of his vintage pics, or at least a link!!!!

Renault

 

[Baggers]

preparing to go to the mtns in Colorado for a week or so.

Damn you, sir.

 

[Renault]

Damn you, sir.

Yes, I know.... I'm hated by all my friends here as well!!!! LOL! I can already taste those rainbows frying in the pan!!!

Philip A!

Try googling any safari pics from Martin and Osa Johnson, and well as "vintage" safari pics. There are many available on the internet that show really cool tentage! Even the Teddy Roosevelt safari pics are on line! Really cool tents and such. Teddy's was just a big wall tent like 10' x 12' with a 10' awning (guesstimate)! Oh, and the stars & stripes out front! Apparently the most popular was the every present canvas wall tent in any shape and size. But you see everything!!!!!! Wedges and Bells!

I would try posting some, but it literally takes me hours to get them on photobucket. I'm on dial up!!!!! :-(!!!!
My old Tentsmith tent last February

After I "painted" it!

Renault

 

[Philip A.]

Renault, thanks. Having the good fortune of operating in a region of legend, one of my dreams is to run safaris fit for gentlemen who appreciate whatever it is that real gentlemen appreciated in the days before it became politically incorrect to treat a woman as a lady, and to teach manners to a kid.

This includes canvas tents with poles and ropes over which one can trip in the dark after a single malt by the fire...

 

[Renault]

Renault, thanks. Having the good fortune of operating in a region of legend, one of my dreams is to run safaris fit for gentlemen who appreciate whatever it is that real gentlemen appreciated in the days before it became politically incorrect to treat a woman as a lady, and to teach manners to a kid.

This includes canvas tents with poles and ropes over which one can trip in the dark after a single malt by the fire...

Evidently you and I sir, are twins, seperated at birth! Give me canvas, wood, blued steel, and wool (when it's cold). We call those ropes,,, boy scout traps! LOL!

Renault

 

[MPicciotto]

What are these ropes you speak of? Being the son of a sailor nigh everything long and stranded was called a "Line". And in the case of the tent those are guy lines. And yes after the better portion of a bottle of port they are darn tricky to navigate.

Matt

 

[Philip A.]

And in the case of the tent those are guy lines.

Matt

I must confess that I've heard these things called a great variety of names after dark, but none of them was as flattering as "line"...

 

[MPicciotto]

I must confess that I've heard these things called a great variety of names after dark, but none of them was as flattering as "line"...

LOL!! Yes that is sooo true. After dark and after drink nothing flattering is said about the hold downs for tents.

Matt

 

[PADDY]

That tentsmith creation looks lovely. My little early 40's British Army canvas tent is only suitable for one person and (as many of you will already know) is just for lying in. Soooo, I will at some point be going for something akin to that tentsmith (but there must be someone in the UK making these), or...if push comes to shove, a canvas bell tent.
Renault - you said you 'painted' the tent (what with, if I may ask).
Gents - A great...NAY...AN INSPIRATIONAL thread if ever there was one, thankyou!

 

[Renault]

Renault - you said you 'painted' the tent (what with, if I may ask).

Water based exterior latex cut with more water! Applied with a paint roller. Just had them mix up a color I liked at the local paint store. Set up the tent and went to it! (look in the one photo you can see a can of paint there on the left!). I think if I did it again I'd probably cut a gallon of paint with about 2 1/2 to 3 gallons of water.....

Renault

 

[MPicciotto]

Water based exterior latex cut with more water! Applied with a paint roller. Just had them mix up a color I liked at the local paint store. Set up the tent and went to it! (look in the one photo you can see a can of paint there on the left!). I think if I did it again I'd probably cut a gallon of paint with about 2 1/2 to 3 gallons of water.....

Renault

I had just assumed you meant waterproofing. Did you actually change the color? I might get me a Boy Scout "Staff" wall tent and paint it OD to make an Officers Small Wall if that's the case.

Matt

 

[Renault]

I Did you actually change the color? Matt

Yup! Tent was white and had acquired a few assorted stains here and there. Painted the exterior only.

Renaulr

 

[Curmudgeon]

(but there must be someone in the UK making these)

Paddy, I think it's time you buy yourself a sewing machine, learn to use it, and become that someone. You might make your fortune.

JP

 

[PADDY]

*CLICK on the pics to ENLARGE*

Gents - been proofing the canvas, sourcing some wooden pegs and getting my Brit Officers 'ground roll sheet' (the canvas roll contained an officer's bedding to lie on) into shape prior to camping. It's all coming together just need to decide on a site now.