In
order to avoid any confusion for our customers who are attempting to button
their new shelter tent halves together, we are supplying the following instructions.
In
order to avoid any confusion for our customers who are attempting to button
their new shelter tent halves together, we are supplying the following instructions.
Since the army likes to avoid confusion (What?), when shelter tent halves were fabricated, the halves were all exactly alike. There are no "rights" and "lefts" to match up. Whenever two soldiers got together, they could button any two halves together.
Due to the semi-unique method of buttoning the halves together (two rows
of buttons along the joining edge) it is necessary that the buttons on one half
face down and the other half face up. In the 1860's the actual cloth or "Drill"
was much thinner and flimsier than the material that we use today. Modern day
folks would not pay money for some of the low quality canvas and leather goods
that were issued by the army, but then, the soldiers didn't pay for it either.
When the users of these tents had to turn one side inside out, it was not obvious,
nor did it matter to the users, as long as they stayed relatively dry.
When assembling your new shelter tent from Fall Creek Suttlery, you will
notice that one half must be turned "inside out" as in the original
tents. In todays "style" concious society, we generally do not want
something to look improper or inside out. Also, the material is much thicker
and the seams are evidently different on each half when set up. That is the
way it is supposed to look.
If you need any help at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Do not feel pressured to let us know that our tent maker must have been
drinking, or the button holes are all messed up and you had to re-sew the buttons
on (and you want to be reimbursed for your time). After reading this, I think
that the 19th century method should be easier to understand.
Poles
The proper poles for your shelter tent can be obtained form your local woods.
Select saplings of some relatively worthless tree such as Maple or Mulberry
that does not add to the quality of the forest that you are standing in. The
best size is 1-1/2 to 2" diameter stock. You will need two forked pieces
and one long pole as straight as can be found. The long pole should be approx
72" long and the two forked poles should be 36 - 48" long. The height
of your uprights will dictate the width of the base of your tent. Please note
the pictures herein. Everything should be self explanatory.
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Thanks for reading this,
Andy
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Fall Creek
Suttlery
P.O. Box 92
Whitestown, In 46075
(765) 482-1861
(765 ) 482-1848 fax
Leather
Goods ........
