Category: Tents > cotton tents

Period tent Bell

Period tent Bell

Century: XVIII, XIX, XX

CODE	Material	Standard ?	Price
TNBE1455	Cotton	Machine-made	700.00 EUR

See how to place an order for several people

A period tent is a type of historical cotton tent based on the 19th century design. Cotton canvas of this model joins the best features of a Sibley tent and bell tent. This cotton tent is easy in transport and ventilation.

This period tent is made of impregnated cotton of approx. 340 g/m2 grammage. Diameter of the bell tent in the widest area reaches around 4 m. Period tents of this type have a wall of approx. 62 cm height which can be pulled up. This ensures a proper ventilation, just like openings near the top part.

Construction of the bell tent is based on a two-part mast of 370 cm length and diameter of 5 cm, joined with a metal sleeve. This period tent also has anti-hurricane ropes of 150 cm length and 6 mm diameter, finished with a loop for pegs.

A bell tent set consists of:
- two-part mast of 370 cm length and 5 cm diameter
- cotton tent sheet
- metal sleeve for joining a mast
- polypropylene ropes of 150 cm length and 6 mm diameter
- 40 tent pegs
- bag for tent pegs
- bag for tent sheet

Our period tent is very easy and quick in assembling. What is more, its shape, dimensions and weight after folding make it easy to transport. Bell tents join many positive features. Their shape gives extra aerodynamics which protects them against wind, rain and snow. This shape also ensures the best efficiency regarding warmth, space and weight, with the best durability on stretching with the lowest structural support.

These features and historical origin make the bell tent a perfect choice for every reenactor, especially British and American armies from the half of the 19th century up to World War II. Period tents of this type will also work well for anyone looking for simple, easily transportable construction.

There's an option of changing the polypropylene ropes for hemp ropes with no charge. Polypropylene ropes are more durable, harder in stretching and untwisting.

ATTENTION!
Under the influence of bad weather conditions (heavy rain for example), wet leather elements may taint the tent's fabric.
The leather used for strengthening fabric in places where the pegs are, entry, and guy ropes is in black colour. (if applicable)

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Bell tent on old photographs

A period tent of this type can be found in a picture by Roger Fanton. This picture from the Crimean War period (1855) shows a camp of British cavalry with numerous bell tents.
Similar model can be found in a picture from around 1905. There is Sgt. Robert Griffith French from Irish Infantry Regiment Royal Dublin Fusiliers with a tent in the background.
What is more, there is a picture from the World War I period presenting Australian army in Deir el Belah oasis from around 1918. Bell tent in numerous copies is visible in the photo.

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The most important features of the bell tent:

- a period tent made of impregnated cotton (waterproof and anti-putrefying)
- pulled up walls and opening on top ensure a proper ventilation
- based on historical sources
- simple construction, easy in assembling and transport
- weatherproof material and construction

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Period tent inspired by a tepee

Bell tents, or in other words conical tents, were extremely popular throughout history. A base in this design was an Indian tepee. At a similar time, around half of the 19th century, people created two similar models inspired by Indian tent. One of them is a bell tent. It has a conical shape with a cotton sheet and one mast in the middle and drag ropes mounted to ground with pegs around the tent.
The second model was designed by Henry Sibley, the officer of the US Army. A Sibley tent also rests on one mast and has a similar shape. However, the mast in this period tent was finished with a tripod which enabled making a fireplace. The mast was disassembled telescopically, which made it easy to transport. Sibley resigned from drag ropes and mounted his model to the ground with tent pegs. To ease the process of ventilation, Sibley made an opening on the top part and directional hood. Sibley tent was used, among others, during American Civil War.
Bell tents presented on our website were used by British and Canadian armies during both World Wars. You can find them in various pictures from this period.

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MODIFICATIONS:

Modification		Machine sewn	Hand sewn
	One additional colour: Tents' sheet made of coloured cotton fabric or made of two colours: ecru and one additional colour.	+ 126€
	Two or more additional colours: Tents' sheet made of coloured cotton in two or more additional colours.	+ 157€
	Windshield: Additional 20 cm wide stripe of fabric attached to the bottom edge of the tent sheet to protect against wind and damp.	+ 70€	+ 99€