Enthusiast III
hi guys
- Thread starter scrappy wolf
- Start date
They're pretty sweet... classic. Right up there with the traditional wall tent version.
Enthusiast III
hi correus. nice to hear from you. hope you are well. cool can you tell me what there like please. differences between the tents, advantages/ disadvantages etc.
was looking at a tentipi saphir or a 5 man military one. or a laavu ? many thanks foz
was looking at a tentipi saphir or a 5 man military one. or a laavu ? many thanks foz
Well... the only experience I have with them is through the military and the historical reenactment community. That being said, the ones I've dealt with were all made of heavy canvas. They do take more effort to set up than the more modern tents people buy today. They are also heavier. The bigger you get the longer it takes to set up and the heavier.
They are sturdier - IMHO - than the more modern light weight ones. These suckers were designed to withstand the harshest environments for the longhaul. They CAN be hot since the material is thicker, but most are designed so flaps can be opened or sides rolled up. They also hold the heat better than most in cold weather. They are also roomier for the most part. When it comes to rain... they are better - IMHO - at keeping it out more so than modern ones. One other drawback, especially if you are not use to one and it rains - neither come with canvas flooring, but modern manufacturers of these do offer them as an extra.
However - I have been in modern, floored tents that got absolutely saturated as well and it's a big PITA to dry them out!
They are also designed more for staying put at a location for a few days - just one night would be a pain.
So, the only difference between a traditional wall tent, and a Sibley bell tent is the shape, and in many cases, the placement of a stove heater.
There is one other option you might want to consider, but I'm not sure if you'll find a bell tent - a vintage, walled camping tent from the '60s and '70s. They are typically made of the same material, but a slightly lighter version, and the poles are lighter. They were designed with weekend family camping in mind. These typically come with a built in floor.
I was fortunate enough to find a vintage, near mint, Coleman 3-room canvas 'cabin' tent a couple years ago to give you an example.
They are sturdier - IMHO - than the more modern light weight ones. These suckers were designed to withstand the harshest environments for the longhaul. They CAN be hot since the material is thicker, but most are designed so flaps can be opened or sides rolled up. They also hold the heat better than most in cold weather. They are also roomier for the most part. When it comes to rain... they are better - IMHO - at keeping it out more so than modern ones. One other drawback, especially if you are not use to one and it rains - neither come with canvas flooring, but modern manufacturers of these do offer them as an extra.
However - I have been in modern, floored tents that got absolutely saturated as well and it's a big PITA to dry them out!
They are also designed more for staying put at a location for a few days - just one night would be a pain.
So, the only difference between a traditional wall tent, and a Sibley bell tent is the shape, and in many cases, the placement of a stove heater.
There is one other option you might want to consider, but I'm not sure if you'll find a bell tent - a vintage, walled camping tent from the '60s and '70s. They are typically made of the same material, but a slightly lighter version, and the poles are lighter. They were designed with weekend family camping in mind. These typically come with a built in floor.
I was fortunate enough to find a vintage, near mint, Coleman 3-room canvas 'cabin' tent a couple years ago to give you an example.
Enthusiast III
oh right ok. thank you for your reply. i was in the reserves in the uk. we never used the bell tents or wall tents. we were all ways in the 12x12 9x9 land rover tents. looking to buy one thou. they look awesome. can you get military surplus ones in the usa for us civilians. would i beable to ship it to the uk. do you know how much one would cost ?
can i ask what kind of stove i would have to use. etc
many thanks scrappy
can i ask what kind of stove i would have to use. etc
many thanks scrappy
I didn't think the British military used them much at all after the 1950s. Funny you should mention the Land Rover tents... I'm in the final stages of rebuilding a '63 Land Rover SIIa 88 Station Wagon and considered getting one of those tents as part of its kit. Those things are not cheap, especially here in the US.
Genuine, military Sibley tents are rare around here and the reenactment groups use reproductions. The reproduction ones typically start at about $1,500/£1,216. Shipping to the UK would probably cost a few hundred.
I know they sell the reproduction ones there in the UK, just don't know the dealers. However, the more modern versions are a lot less and readily available there.
Canvas Tents Bell Tents Ridge Tents | Buy Online canvastentshop.co.uk | The Canvas Tent Shop
These guys might be able to tell you where you can get a reproduction one as well. If not, check with one of the WWI British reenactment groups. They might even be able to tell you where you can get a really good used one.
Genuine, military Sibley tents are rare around here and the reenactment groups use reproductions. The reproduction ones typically start at about $1,500/£1,216. Shipping to the UK would probably cost a few hundred.
I know they sell the reproduction ones there in the UK, just don't know the dealers. However, the more modern versions are a lot less and readily available there.
Canvas Tents Bell Tents Ridge Tents | Buy Online canvastentshop.co.uk | The Canvas Tent Shop
These guys might be able to tell you where you can get a reproduction one as well. If not, check with one of the WWI British reenactment groups. They might even be able to tell you where you can get a really good used one.
For a bit more 'unique' look... have you considered the classic Bedouin tent? I know they have those in the UK. I'm thinking about getting one, but shipping from the UK is incredibly expensive, so I'm looking at making one.
Enthusiast III
hi correus. thank you for replying. they still use the canvas tents as far as im aware. the 9x9 and 12x12 are command tents but because they are fazing out the land rovers due to them not been made any more, i dont know what they will use them on, because i was told they were designed for them apparently.
they still use the 24x24 for the troops i believe, i may be wrong. any of them used are expensive when they come up. the bell tents are the winter ones used by the infantry. i dont know if they still use them tho. they are expensive as well used. would definitely like one of those or the tentipi from Sweden ( www.tentipi.com ).
wow a 63 land rover s11a 88 station wagon, very nice indeed. lovely vehicle, like the older vehicles they have more charm and character. yeah like i said there not cheap here either. would look lovely together.
as for the reenactment groups they are awesome. great people to watch and learn so much from. they do have them and reproductions, like you said tho, its finding the manufacture or company who sells them. will ask them to see if they know of any.
i will have to have a look on that website, thank you. ok classic Bedouin tent. ok will have to have a look into them and get back to you.
thankyou for your help scrappy
they still use the 24x24 for the troops i believe, i may be wrong. any of them used are expensive when they come up. the bell tents are the winter ones used by the infantry. i dont know if they still use them tho. they are expensive as well used. would definitely like one of those or the tentipi from Sweden ( www.tentipi.com ).
wow a 63 land rover s11a 88 station wagon, very nice indeed. lovely vehicle, like the older vehicles they have more charm and character. yeah like i said there not cheap here either. would look lovely together.
as for the reenactment groups they are awesome. great people to watch and learn so much from. they do have them and reproductions, like you said tho, its finding the manufacture or company who sells them. will ask them to see if they know of any.
i will have to have a look on that website, thank you. ok classic Bedouin tent. ok will have to have a look into them and get back to you.
thankyou for your help scrappy
