Vintage Camping Equipment

[David Conwill]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Civil War reenactor resources. Seems like a lot of that equipment was still around in the early twentieth century and served as patterns for quite a bit of the civilian camping gear from the era as well.

-Dave

[WildCelt]

The original old bible: "Camping and Woodcraft" by Horace Kephart

Kephart's great; I refer to Camping and Woodcraft more often than I do The Complete Walker, Colin Fletcher's modern backpacker's bible (though it's a great resource as well). I'm constantly amused by the "discovery" of lightweight and ultralight backpacking in the recent past, made possible by modern technology and performance materials. Kephart was advocating lightweight and minimalist gear back in 1911! His packweight was well within modern parameters for "lightweight backpacking" and sometimes even lower. My favorite quote from him is that we don't go to the woods to rough it, we get it rough enough at home. We go to the woods to smooth it.

[TraderRic]

If you're looking for a pup-tent and going for 1941-42 why not get an old Army shelter half? It's basically two pieces of canvas that button down the ridge with two poles and ropes. Many original WWII ones can be had at surplus stores/catalogs and at gun shows for under $20. The style didn't change at all well into the 90's when I think they were discontinued, so even if you got one from the 80's it would look like it was new in the 40's.
For some different styles try Dixie Gunworks or Track of the Wolf for Baker tents. That's essentially half a wall tent. My Scout Troop used those into the 80's.
A wood framed cot would complete the picture in a Backer tent.

-Eric

[cbrunt]

Hey Gang, thanks for all the ideas and input. For the time being, I think the simple tarp idea is best. I had thought of using a reproduction WW1 G.I. tent and claiming to have purchased from Bannermans in the '30s

I'll post images of my Coleman stove and lantern in a couple days. I do not know how to unclog the stove though... Sorry !!!

Depending on the time of year, a nice fire is nice. But for a quick meal on the road, or a monrning cup o' joe, my Coleman will be perfect !

[Mike in Seattle]

Check out this place in Seattle. One of the last old-fashioned military surplus dealers around. We got loads of stuff there for South Pacific this summer, including a great WWII era tent. They've even got the machine for stamping out dogtags - everyone in the cast got them with their name, cast name & show name.

[Mike1939]

On my last trek to the mountains I carried a 8x8 oilskin tarp and Whitney blanket tied to my rucksack. The tarp and blanket make a warm bed with the end tied off with a bit of rope or I can sting up the tarp as a shelter. For heating up my tea in the morning I used a tommy cooker, I prefer using a campfire for cooking but there were fire restrictions at the time. As lighting I had a few candles and a modern headlamp for emergencies.

I also found Kephart's book to be a useful source for old time camping.

[carter]

I've found that Lightweight Backpacking by Charles L. Jansen is helpful in showing how to minimize the amount of gear one carries. I've had this little book for about 30 years.

[Mojave Jack]

To really camp out "like the old days" take a tarp and some rope, find two trees that close together and use the line and tarp to make your own shelter.
Camp stoves? Not really as much fun as a dug out fire pit ringed with rocks and a grill grate for cooking.
Vintage camping equipment should only consist of an old shotgun, an old shovel and an old knife- maybe an old hatchet or axe!

That may have worked when I was 20, but this is my idea of camping now!



I used to go camping on my motorcycle, using my shelter half when it was damp or rainy, and just rolling up in my poncho liner. I kept a .380 under the spare clothes I used as a pillow, and could fit everything I needed into a shoulder ditty bag. Now I only take what will fit in the bed of my truck.

[Lareesie Ladavi]

KY Gentlemen, I like your idea of camping, but I camp a lot in Socal, and they you can't make your own fire ring. If I may add a couple of other things... Buck knife and a dog. Hey, I'm a woman and camp with just my son.

I dream of camping where it's unpopulated. Even dispersed camping has people!!! It isn't like when I was a kid. California has over stimulated me. There is no getting away here. :/

Anyone buy a hunting tent? I don't hunt, but the tents in Cabella's cataolg are nice. Maybe not vint., but it serves a purpose.

[KY Gentleman]

Mojave Jack- if I was given the option I would definetly choose your camping gear over a tarp!

Lareesie Ladavi- given the fire situation in CA. I bet campfires are not a good idea. Luckily camping in this part of the country is a little less risky in that area. We're fortunate here to be able to do a lot of remote, primative camping with very little worries about other campers, extreme forest fire hazards (if you follow basic fire saftey), etc.
I have found some good deals on camping equipment like hunting type tents at campingworld.com if you are looking for camping gear. Enjoy the outdoors however you can I say!