Tents

[Redcoat]

Our group is looking at purchasing some tents, who would you recommend?

 

[captaindrew]

I've bought a couple tents from Blockade Runner and am very happy with them. Nicely made, price was comparable to the others and they offer complete setup kits if you don't feel like messing with making your own poles.

 

[Redcoat]

Our group is looking at purchasing some tents, who would you recommend?

Thanks for the feedback. Seeing as we have to ship them to the Canadian border, we will be make our own poles etc.

Do you know if the respective sutlers use the same grade of canvas?

 

[drezac]

I have 2 tents from Fall Creek. One is about 18 years old. While it was in storage for about 10 years ( and had many generations of cats and mice raised on it), after a power washing, look great and was still going strong. Just handed it down to my son, only problem is one beckett that has torn ( the canvas webbing where the stakes go through), although, that's most likely do to a stake (or a hammer, or being stupid and pulling up the stake with the corner of the tent).

I bought a new one for myself last year. quality looks to be the same as the old one, good quality canvas. I ordered it with what I thought was plenty of time to get it for Gettysburg last year, but about a week and a half out it had not arrived. I called them, they said they will work to get one out for me in time. In 2 days it arrived on my doorstep, the tag had another name whited out. they had bumped another order to get it to me in time for Gettysburg. While some may complain about Fall Creek, I think their tents are excellent. As I understand it, they make the tents themselves.

 

[captaindrew]

Thanks for the feedback. Seeing as we have to ship them to the Canadian border, we will be make our own poles etc.

Do you know if the respective sutlers use the same grade of canvas?

I'm sure they are all pretty close, like I said I was very pleased with Blockade's tents. I buy a lot of stuff from Regimental Quartermaster and I'm sure their tents are good quality as well, their stuff always is. I've never dealt with Fall Creek before so I can't personally say with them but you have a good review of them above. Some of their sizes differ from one sutler to the other so I would say shop and compare the sizes and prices you need. Also call and see if they have them in stock if you need them right away. That's why I chose Blockade the first time, needed one quickly and they had what I wanted in stock and ready to ship and got it within a week. That's not always the case if they have to make it with any of the sutlers.

 

[Stainless Steel Mucket]

Quality is an important factor, but what about authenticity? Have you inquired whether the sizes offered match the sizes of original tents? What about stitched rather brass grommets? Does it have a sod cloth? Does the canvas weight match original specifications?

Last I heard, the closest match to period common tents came from Yakima tents.

Here's link to a link about tents on the Civil War Reenactors Forum which discusses this issue: http://www.cwreenactors.com/forum/showthread.php?33960-A-Frame-Size&p=239501#post239501

- S.S. Mucket