Our version of the the Imperial German Army M1893 Zeltbahn which was the standard pre-war soldier’s shelter quarter introduced under the Prussian Army reforms of the late 19th century. Serving both as a personal rain cape and as part of a sectional tent system, it was one of the earliest standardized field shelter designs adopted by the German forces before the First World War. Its clever modular construction allowed several panels to be buttoned together to form larger tents, windbreaks, or ground sheets.
Our Zelt is made from heavyweight, tightly woven cotton canvas (approx. 14–16 oz per square yard), the M1893 Zeltbahn was originally finished in plain field-grey or light brown canvas, we make in both colors, it was sometimes treated with linseed or wax for partial water resistance. Each panel is roughly square (about 165 × 165 cm) with metal buttons and reinforced buttonholes along all edges, leather corner reinforcements, and brass eyelets for attaching tent poles or guy lines. Small brass rings allow connection between panels, and each soldier carried one as part of his field equipment.
By the eve of WWI, the M1893 remained in use, later giving way to the improved 1897 and wartime 1914 patterns, but it set the foundation for the famous triangular Zeltbahn systems of the 20th century.
Great buy for reenactors and collectors.
