Historical Camping?

**Phantom Grappler** · 10-09-2023, 08:34

Test old gear in backyard, before venturing into wilderness. Old fabrics, especially canvas lose strength through the years in storage.
Or if car camping, carry a backup in case of gear fail.
I’m guessing you will be car camping. Canvas tarps are bulky and heavy compared to current gear.

Have fun studying our past, it’s good to think of how people camped 80 years ago.

**joe_guilbeau** · 10-09-2023, 13:30

Old Ironsides VIP Suite

U.S.S. Constitution Crew Hammocks.jpg

**TominMN** · 10-09-2023, 15:00

Originally Posted by joe_guilbeau

Old Ironsides VIP Suite

U.S.S. Constitution Crew Hammocks.jpg

Cool! Pretty clews.

**Eclectic** · 10-10-2023, 09:39

Thanks all for some helpful recommendations and reminders. I have plenty to research.

If I do get to camp historically, I’ll be sure to post back here. It won’t be until next September, though.

**dkurfiss** · 10-10-2023, 12:37

I removed any post with references to buy/pricing/selling. If you want to discuss please PM each other or put a listing in FS area. FS area is the only place on HF that buy/sell of items can be discussed.

Thanks for your help

**swoody126** · 10-10-2023, 13:14

the Navy did use canvas hammocks

here is a link

https://theultimatehang.com/2013/01/...clew-tutorial/

sw

**PopcornFool** · 10-10-2023, 15:31

You aren't the only one who has been searching for historical hammock usage information. This blog post might be of interest to you:
A Woodrunners Diary: https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.c...h-century.html

This guy was/is part of the New England Colonial Living History Group (1680-1760). (Seems oddly specific to me ... but whatever hoists your hammock.) He posted this a decade ago though, so it might be worth reaching out to him to see if he's had more success in his research since then. It might save you some research time. He has a couple of emails (looks like one official and one personal) above the disclaimer on the page.

**Eclectic** · 10-10-2023, 17:08

Originally Posted by PopcornFool

You aren't the only one who has been searching for historical hammock usage information. This blog post might be of interest to you:
A Woodrunners Diary: https://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.c...h-century.html

This guy was/is part of the New England Colonial Living History Group (1680-1760). (Seems oddly specific to me ... but whatever hoists your hammock.) He posted this a decade ago though, so it might be worth reaching out to him to see if he's had more success in his research since then. It might save you some research time. He has a couple of emails (looks like one official and one personal) above the disclaimer on the page.

Ooo! Thanks!

And yes - historical re-enactors can sometimes get VERY specific and very detailed. I can see where that is helpful when trying to be historically accurate, as fashions and technology change so rapidly. Thankfully, my group has a broader focus. I believe there is something we can learn from every era.

**Salt** · 10-10-2023, 20:54

I have been working on a similar project, trying to figure out a hammock solution that would look reasonable in 8th-11th century northern Europe. I've been considering something akin to the XX folding hammock stand (tensahedron style) or an a-frame that also acts as a bipod. For each of these I'm interested in what components can be coupled for easier transportation.

**Eclectic** · 10-12-2023, 09:49

Originally Posted by Salt

I have been working on a similar project, trying to figure out a hammock solution that would look reasonable in 8th-11th century northern Europe. I've been considering something akin to the XX folding hammock stand (tensahedron style) or an a-frame that also acts as a bipod. For each of these I'm interested in what components can be coupled for easier transportation.

I’d be interested in seeing your final set up.