I was at an auction last week, the steward held up three big canvas bags and the auctioneer declared it as a tent.
Nobody was interested, so I bid a small amount and won.
I had no idea what I getting, but thought it worth a punt.
Last weekend, we opened up the bags and were pleasantly surprised.
After some investigating, we realised that I had actually got two seperate tents. One is about 1970's/1980's, manufactured by a xompany called Pouch. The bag has a picture of a canoe printed on it, and is a Canvas Frame tent. It looks like it was actually designed to sleep 2 people in an inner sleeping area and store a kayak or canoe alongside the sleep area, but still within the tent.
The second, however, I have taken quite a shine to. It is a ridge tent from what I guess to be the late 50's or early 60's.
It has wooden poles, leather straps and chunky wooden braces on the guide ropes. It also has a built it groundsheet that is in two halves (one half each attached to the bottom of the tent).
It is all canvas and has an additional canvas fly sheet that I am not sure is entirely necessary in anything other than really wet weather.
The thing is, I am not a tent person, I own a Folding Camper. I was wondering if there is a Vintage Tent scene? Googling seems to nod in the direction of Vintage Camping becoming quite chic, but I can't find anything about Vintage Tents anywhere that has any real information.
I am selling the first on Ebay, but I don't want the second tent that way if I can help it. It may end up going to some festival goers who will trash it and leave it in a field. It deserves more than that.
In fact, I am quite tempted to keep it myself.
Any ideas of where I may find out about the Vintage camping scene and vintage tents?
I have some pics of both the tents, but we didn't peg them out properly. I plan to pitch the vintage tent again this weekend and peg it out properly. I'll adjust the pics I do have and post them up here.
It sounds really interesting, I think you should keep it. There isn't necessarily a vintage tent scene as such, but there are a variety of canvas tenters, from bell tents and frame tents to me with my Freecycle ridge tents. I believe there's the occasional meet but I haven't been (yet).
Sounds great! Could be one of those old patrol type tents..some came with an additional flysheet which I had always presumed were for the very worst weather rather than a sunshade, what with our British weather! (although if it was very hot it would make the tent cooler!)
The other tent sounds interesting as well though, with the canoe connection...might be worth looking into and posting on the Songofthepaddle website forum. They might be interested in it's history.
You make them sound like the Hinge and Brackett of the tent world! Its so nice to see these vintage tents still about, reminds me of times past! Can't wait to see the pics.
The scout movement can be a good source of information on the history of camping and the gear they used in years gone by. Theres a few old scout masters around who would love the chance to get their hands on a classic tent like those.
An email to their head office may put you intouch with such an enthusiasts group and find a worthy home for your tents.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
i have a small 2 man ridge tent i purchased for £3.50 from a charity shop some one obviously didnt realize how important it is old it has a built in ground sheet be it a little crude as it is quite rigid and it also has some very weird guy rope.
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Topic: Vintage Tent acquired.
