NOVEMBER BULLY BUY:  FEDERAL SHELTER TENT HALVES!!!
$85.00

Styled similarly on the French tente d'abri, the Federal issue
shelter tent half was a new and invaluable piece of equipment
for the Federal soldier of 1861.  Previous types of tentage,
such as bell tents and common tents, were deemed too problematic
for campaigning soldiers to use as they demanded constant
vehicular carriage in the field.  The result was the
Quartermaster's adoption of the shelter tent; minimalist in
regards to providing comfortable shelter from the elements yet
utilitarian and simple enough for a soldier to rely on in the
circumstances.  In-house production of the shelter tent half was
limited except at a few government manufactories, most notably
at Cincinnati's so-called "tent loft", but contracts were let
starting in late 1861 resulting in millions being produced and
issued by 1865.  Stylistically the shelter tent was simple yet
no two contractors made them precisely the same until an effort
was made in 1864 to standardize the pattern, construction, and
materials.  No matter if he was sloughing through White Oak
Swamp, entrenched on the outskirts of Atlanta, or in vigorous
pursuit of Lee's shattered army, the common Federal soldier made
the best use that he could of that little square of cotton.

For the November Bully Buy in conjunction with the Authentic
Campaigner, Wambaugh, White, & Co. are proud to offer no less
than three different styles of the Federal-issue shelter tent
half.  Please read on for information regarding each individual
style!



No. 1:  Cincinnati "Tent Loft" Contract Shelter Half.

	This style of tent half, produced in-house at Cincinnati 
Depot and also under local contract, appears to have been based
closely on the original samples of the French tente d'abri.  A
high number of extant shelter halves exist with similar design,
construction, and material characteristics pointing to their
possible origin at Cincinnati's tent loft.  Cincinnati began
in-house production of tent halves sometime in late 1862 to
early 1863 and as far as records indicate did not stop
production or change their pattern before the end of the war. 
This style of tent is most suitable for Western impressions
ranging from 1862 to 1865 due to their facility of origin and
common features.
	Each Cincinnati contract shelter tent half will be made 
from three horizontal panels of cotton drill, machine sewn and
hemmed, with machine-sewn drill corner reinforcements. 
Twenty-three reinforced black-enameled bone buttons with
matching hand-sewn buttonholes, hand-sewn slotted upright and
round loop grommets, hemp rope guy line and peg loops, a George
Moulton (Cincinnati) inspector stamp and "BW" contractor stencil
finish each shelter half.

No. 2:   H.S. McComb Contract Shelter Half.

	Based on one of a matching set of tent halves from H.S. 
McComb of Wilmington, Delaware, this style reflects an early version of
what is known in typography as a "Type IIIa" shelter tent. 
McComb won multiple production contracts in April, May, and
August 1862, and again in February 1864 for a total of 269,000
tent halves.  The most likely depots of issue may have included
New York and Washington, making this style of tent suitable for
an Eastern Federal impression.  However, as with many
eastern-manufactured items McComb's tents might also have been
purchased under the auspices of western depots.
	Tents of this style will be made from two vertical panels of
cotton drill, machine-sewn and hemmed, with machine-sewn drill
corner reinforcements.  Twenty-three natural bone buttons with
matching buttonholes,  hand-sewn round grommets, hemp rope guy
line and peg loops, and a red "H.S. McComb contractor stamp
finish each shelter half.

No. 3:   Theo. Polhemus Contract Shelter Half.

	Based on an original in a private collection, this particular
tent also fits the typology of a "Type IIIa" but exhibits
materials common towards the end of the war as duck and
sailcloth came into wider availability.  The now-famous "blue
line sailcloth" was widely used by contractors but as the
availability waned purchasing agents were not hesitant to obtain
common duck cloth without the blue selvedge edge line.  By 1864,
Quartermasters had mandated the exclusive use of sailcloth or
duck as shelter half material, based on it's water shedding
capabilities and strength, making this style of shelter tent
suitable for late war impressions both east and west.
	T. Polhemus contract tent halves will be made from two vertical
panels of cotton duck, machine-sewn and hemmed, with
machine-sewn linen canvas or linen toweling corner
reinforcements.  Twenty-three tinned buttons with matching
hand-sewn buttonholes, hand-sewn round grommets, hemp rope guy
line and peg loops, and a black Theodore Polhemus contractor
stamp finish each tent.

No matter what style (or styles!) of shelter tent you decide
upon, each one is priced at a sale price of $85 (postage paid). 
Remember that the sale price will last for the month of November
only before they go back up to $100!

Please contact Dan Wambaugh to order!

Via eMail:  Dan@wwandcompany.com
       or 
Via Phone:  (517) 303-3609   9am to 6pm EST, Mon. through Fri.