Army mess tent

[Tom Gold]

Just been gifted a 24 x 18 army mess tent alas, without the frame. It appears to be either new or in very good shape and although the bag is very battered the grommets are all coated in the same proofing material as the fabric suggesting no use. Does anyone know if its possible to get a frame for it?

It came from Anchor Supplies. Here is its army designation

 

[mick91]

I would have suggested anchor as they do spares like the connectors. You may have to improvise with poles though. Scaffolding?

 

[santaman2000]

Shipping cost would kill you but these people could probably supply pole and/or frame www.beckelcanvas.com

 

[Alan 13~7]

Just been gifted a 24 x 18 army mess tent alas, without the frame. It appears to be either new or in very good shape and although the bag is very battered the grommets are all coated in the same proofing material as the fabric suggesting no use. Does anyone know if its possible to get a frame for it?

It came from Anchor Supplies. Here is its army designation

I got an army mess tent obviously mine is much much older 60 + mine is not quite as big may be about 8' x 12' x 6' high... for many years its been stored in my mothers leaky shed probably be rotten by now the poles are just simple square 2by2 wooden poles metal eyelets & pins on each end metal sleeve to join together ridge tent style the ones with eyelets across middle length-ways & 3 uprights had the pins which are twisty & 3 large wooden bed knobs screw on top on the outside. should be pretty easy to fabricate if its the same. need to go round & check it out.

 

[wingstoo]

I got an army mess tent obviously mine is much much older 60 + mine is not quite as big may be about 8' x 16' x 6' high... for many years its been stored in my mothers leaky shed probably be rotten by now the poles are just simple square 2by2 wooden poles metal eyelets & pins on each end metal sleeve to join together ridge tent style the ones with eyelets across middle length-ways & 3 uprights had the pins which are twisty & 3 large wooden bed knobs screw on top on the outside. should be pretty easy to fabricate if its the same. need to go round & check it out.

That would be the old 160 pounder, the Air portables in the OP would be an interesting challenge to improvise a frame for, have a word with a local military cadet unit, Air force or Army are most likely going to be best, they might be able to help, or take it off your hands...

Maybe you could make up something like this.



This is what you are missing...

 

[Alan 13~7]

That would be the old 160 pounder, the Air portables in the OP would be an interesting challenge to improvise a frame for, have a word with a local military cadet unit, Air force or Army are most likely going to be best, they might be able to help, or take it off your hands...

mine is one of these

http://wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=53066&view=previous

Dads old army tent by Alan 13-7, on Flickr
this one is not mine but mine is more like this one. Size wise if it weren't for the poles a ford Cortina could fit inside, memories a bit hazy but I remember mine having 3 uprights! last time I saw it up I was not much more than a kid maybe it's not as big as I remember it.... going to see if it has survived first chance I get...

 

[Pete E]

Just been gifted a 24 x 18 army mess tent alas, without the frame. It appears to be either new or in very good shape and although the bag is very battered the grommets are all coated in the same proofing material as the fabric suggesting no use. Does anyone know if its possible to get a frame for it?

It came from Anchor Supplies.

My first thought is unless your middle name is "Billy Smart" what an earth would you do with it even if you got the poles???

 

[Jaeger]

Aye Up Tom,
Might be worth having a look at Macro (or scambay?) - some years back I purchased a small garden 'markee' from the former with a tubular steel frame of an almost identical design (just heavier and larger) to the military 9x9/12x12's. Probably more expensive now than the fifty quid that I paid back then but it might be an option. The canvas side walls rotted out after getting soaked in a leaky shed and I only recently got rid of the frame or you could have had it. It was so stable when up that at one pint I considered keeping it and renewing the canvas but finances over-rode the dream!

 

[Tom Gold]

Jaeger, thanks mate, I'll give it a shot. Anchor quoted me 750 quid for a new set!

As always thanks to all for their helpful and amusing remarks on this!

T