my new (old) canvas tent

[treadlightly]

I took a bit of a punt on ebay for this, a small canvas ridge tent, called a Staffordshire Tent, made by British manufacturers Uniform.

I was a bit worried what the condition might be and that it might be a bit small (6ft 6ins long, 4ft 6ins wide and 3ft 6ins high with 18 inch walls on the sides) but lying in it there is enough room for me and kit. Total weight is 2.6kg.

It's very old school with rope guys, some wooden pegs and wooden sectional poles. The canvas is in good nick for its age and although I assumed I would have to fabsil it I chucked a bit of water over it this afternoon and it beaded off quite pleasingly.

I'm pretty pleased. Anyone come across these tents before?

Here it is, pitched very roughly in my garden.

 

[copper_head]

Nice find!

 

[crosslandkelly]

Great find, looks really good nick.

 

[Dave]

I got one of those conquest medina tents off ebay the other month, [also old canvas] and treated it with nikwax cotton proof, [didnt work well] and then 2 tins of fabsil, didnt work brilliantly either.

I think I'd try the cheaper Thomsons water seal if I wanted to proof an older canvas tent again.

 

[Ivan...]

Hi Mate, ooh! I bought two of those in a job lot of gear, back in 2009, erected them at my first permission, and spent may a happy night in them, one exactlly the same as yours, and one in white, but a lighter grade of canvas, i used to leave them up all summer for the lazy so and so's that could not be bothered to bring kit, or set up.

Sold them in a jiffy on Ebay, a couple of years back and regretted it ever since.

Enjoy.

Ivan...

 

[Paul Webster]

I think me and my family may have been one of those lazy so and so's! They were great tents

sent from my smart phone thingy using chubby digits

 

[John Fenna]

Very nice - and if you decide not to use it as a tent ... that is great smock making fabric!

 

[ozzy1977]

That reminds me of my old army pup tent, will have to get my dad to get it out of the loft for me

 

[Red Fox]

I love the tent it looks warm and light,it reminds me of one i had wen i was a lad very good.

 

[uncleboob]

I've got one just like it in the sitting in the garage waiting for a trip out. I have had it up ( briefly on the lawn) but the canvas seemed a bit light and not too weather proof so haven't tested it overnight yet- you'll have to let me know how you get on. Are you going to reproof yours?

Cheers

Joab

 

[treadlightly]

I've got one just like it in the sitting in the garage waiting for a trip out. I have had it up ( briefly on the lawn) but the canvas seemed a bit light and not too weather proof so haven't tested it overnight yet- you'll have to let me know how you get on. Are you going to reproof yours?

Cheers

Joab

I think I'll see how well it resists water first, but not much rain about at the moment.

I'm going to take it to Festival at the Edge weekend after next. If it leaks I can always rig a tarp over it as a stop gap.

 

[uncleboob]

After seeing yours I've just got mine out and pitched it! Mine is 'Uniform Brand' as well but is the 'Yorkshire' model- dimensions are 7' x 6' (5' high)- here's a picky

Can't beat that old canvas, hessian and slightly damp smell!

cheers

Joab

 

[treadlightly]

After seeing yours I've just got mine out and pitched it! Mine is 'Uniform Brand' as well but is the 'Yorkshire' model- dimensions are 7' x 6' (5' high)- here's a picky

Can't beat that old canvas, hessian and slightly damp smell!

cheers

Joab

That looks really good and a bit bigger than mine, the ideal size I reckon. Yorkshire, Staffordshire, I wonder how many other counties they made?

 

[uncleboob]

...check out this link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasgirl_333/sets/72157617000151879/

 

[treadlightly]

...check out this link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/texasgirl_333/sets/72157617000151879/

That is a brilliant link, they don't make outdoors gear like they used to!

Unfortunately I can't get it in focus enough to read the small print but there is fascinating stuff on tents, stoves, clothes and sleeping bags from the 1930's.