Baker/Campfire Tent/ Lean To Provenance

WaddWatsonEllis · December 29, 2012, 12:30:39 AM

Help!

I have bought a Baker Tent to use in reenacting ...

The problem is that, although there is a mention in a Thoreau writing of 1853, there is nothing morementioned of the tent until after the 20th Century ...

My boss wants to allow this tent, cause it would be perfect for what I am doing ....

Help!

Someone, somewhere has a provenance (preferably Western) of one or some being used ... I just have to have one from the west in the 1812-1860 time fame ....

WaddWatsonEllis · January 16, 2013, 07:45:39 PM

Hi,

Lots a looking, but no help?

TTFN,

Ranch 13 · January 17, 2013, 08:06:42 AM

The Baker and Whelen leanto's have long been accepted as being correct for even the strictest of mtn man rondezvous 1840 cut off dates, so I can think of no reason why it wouldn't fit in fine with your specified dates.

dusty texian · January 17, 2013, 08:17:35 AM

Howdy WaddWatsonEllis, I have been looking for that kinda tent for my Vintage hunting camp that I am outfitting. Picked-up some oil lamps and lanterns and cookware. Could you point me in the direction you bought yours. All I have been able to find is Tee Pee's not what I'm looking for .Thanks.......Dusty.

Ranch 13 · January 17, 2013, 08:34:29 AM

These folks have long been known as the better supplier of historically correct accutrements.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Category.aspx/1065

dusty texian · January 17, 2013, 08:52:04 AM

Many Thanks Ranch 13 . Thats just what I have been looking for .

Ranch 13 · January 17, 2013, 09:06:39 AM

You're welcome. I've dealt with those folks for almost 40 years. Always got top quality product and service.

WaddWatsonEllis · January 17, 2013, 09:13:40 AM

Ranch 13,

They are good people who stand by their products ... we shall see what I get for a reply ...

Caleb Hobbs · January 17, 2013, 12:12:56 PM

Wad:

It depends on how much of a stickler you or your boss are to being period correct. These lean-tos are very common at all but the strictest events, but I'm not aware of any documentation of the Whelan or Baker styles until the early part of the 20th century. I've heard WWI. A flat sheet is correct, but the unique cuts of the Baker, Whelan, and other styles preclude them from being acceptable if you're interested in being 100 percent period correct. (Or as close to 100% as a person is liable to get anymore.) I haven't read it, but I've heard a good article can be found in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal (Vol. 2, 2008), from the Museum of the Mountain Man, in Pinedale, WY. Hope this helps.

Caleb

WaddWatsonEllis · January 18, 2013, 11:03:44 PM

Caleb & al,

I certainly agree that provenance is thread thin to non-existent. But it would be hard to believe that semi-nomads like buffalo hunters would never have discovered the joy of a baker/Campfire tent .... how it takes a very small amount of heat to warm them .... and the room!

It just does not make sense that this handy tent was not 'discovered' until after the turn of the century ,,,,

River City John · January 19, 2013, 12:04:22 PM

Might want to ask this on the NCOWS forum also, Wadd. There has been some research done into this style of tent. I've heard both pro and con (mostly con).
Books O'Tool would be the one to pose the question.

RCJ

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,26744.25.html

Here's the link to the primitive camping thread wherein the Baker is discussed, Wadd.

wyldwylliam · January 19, 2013, 06:45:32 PM

I've been into BP shooting and re-enacting the fur trade thing since the '70's and have done a fair bit of research on this topic. I'd have to say that if you are looking for as close to 100% authenticity as reasonably possible, these two designs are not acceptable.

In jurried fur trade events some won't even allow a square tarp rigged as a diamond shelter.

Seems to me though, that it is up to each feller to do the research on what actually was done back in the day then make up his own mind as to what works for him.

Myself, I use the diamond shelter because while I've not found any documentation for it, and have had long arguments about it, I still feel that its use must have been done in the old days. Also, I've found that it offers all the benefits of the Whelen and the Baker. If I want more privacy I just drape a couple of HBC blankets over the front.

WaddWatsonEllis · January 19, 2013, 10:42:07 PM

Hi,

I should have probably explained ... my Persona is that of a '49er miner who found gold to difficult to get (after all the 49ers were told that the gold could just be picked up from the ground) ... So after 60 days or so as part of a sluice box team, he was able to finagle his harness repair skills (that he aha learned on the farm before coming out here) into a 'townie' apprenticeship in Sacramento.

Part of his pay was found in the form of a tent ... and the "squarishnes"s of a baker would allow a sleeping/eating area as well as an area to hold my Stitching Horse and Ponies ...

Please excuse the anachronistic hat in the pic ... me culpa!

wyldwylliam · January 20, 2013, 08:39:48 PM

I'd go for it then. I've certainly seen lots of them used for just that purpose. Haven't been to a cas shoot in donkey's years but I can't see anybody bugging you about it.

WaddWatsonEllis · January 21, 2013, 07:09:10 PM

wyldwilliam,

What I am talking about is not a SASS scenario but the Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento .... and my boss sees the practicality of the tent: she just wants some provenace in the West .... so far I have not been able to find one western instance ....

TTFN,