Fur trade era cot

[Bo T]

Getting ideas on making a quick somewhat period correct cot that would fit in during 1810-1830. I'm in E. WA. and a simple canvass, wood, and rope construction is what I'm leaning towards.

 

[coloradoclyde]

http://countrybed.com/ancillary_pages/reference/Rope.shtml

 

[Bo T]

A couple of good designs there. Although, I am envisioning something more primitive. Which design, do you think, would be sturdier?

 

[Claude Mathis]

Which design, do you think, would be sturdier?

Of the two pictured, this one...

 

[coloradoclyde]

I like the second and third pictures........But, the rope beds in the link I provided would be even stronger....But you would need a mattress for them.

I've also posted this before..... http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...CFTzGsZqf2RV7pXVvWlOpA&bvm=bv.139782543,d.amc

http://www.greydragon.org/furniture/beds/ropebed.html


You could make a rope bed from logs...

 

[coloradoclyde]

Which design, do you think, would be sturdier?

Of the two pictured, this one...

No doubt this design would be the easiest to construct and transport.

 

[Crewdawg445]

Rope beds can be a pain, sleep on the ground with a bedroll and problem solved!

I do like the second, I can't remember were but I've seen that design elsewhere in a book or magazine...

 

[Claude Mathis]

http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/children/The-Scientific-American-Boy/The-Camp-Bed.html

 

[coloradoclyde]

Excellent!... :thumbsup:

Super portable if you have trees you can trim....

 

[tenngun]

I weigh from 210 to 220 depending on time of year I made one of the beds from the top photo. It was from the book of buckskining. It lasted two events before the x broke. I have not made a bed to replace it.

 

[coloradoclyde]

That was my fear with that design...

 

[RJL]

any idea where I could find build plans for the second cot?

 

[Bo T]

The bed and the chair look good for a longer term camp. What canvas would you recommend? The canvas could be used as a ground cloth while traveling.

 

[coloradoclyde]

With good pictures, I can reverse engineer...

Here is another design.. https://www.manufactum.com/beechwood-folding-bed-p1449422/

 

[coloradoclyde]

This cot is called a Marcy
Field Cot.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Here is more. http://www.kancoll.org/books/marcy/mar5_14b.htm
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/243616661068212604/

 

[Ole Frog]

what would be the earliest time period for the Marcy field cot?

I need something for a Rev War camp

 

[coloradoclyde]

:idunno: ...I read it is an 1850's design...

 

[Ole Frog]

That's what I was afraid of

 

[Grenadier1758]

For the soldier of the AWI, cots would be uncommon. Straw stuffed in a mattress sack would be the normal bedding.

Now that that is out the way, cots are accepted sleeping gear for reenacting the AWI (or F&I). The "Book of Buckskinning II" (IIRC) has plans for a colonial era cot similar to the X framed cot pictured above. It is constructed like the X framed cot with headboard and foot board stretchers. A center X will add strength to the cot to minimize the breakage of the legs. The mattress sack adds more cushion to the cot.