Camping Made Easy...in Cornwall - Camping does't get much better, or more stylish, than this... (The Independant: July 2008)

The History of the Bell Tent or Sibley Tent


The Bell Tent, sometimes known as a Sibley Tent, is a tried and tested 19th century design which has stood the test of time. The Bell Tent, formerly The Sibley Tent, was invented by an American military officer Henry Hopkins Sibley, who had studied the tipi during the expeditions he carried out in the Old West. The Sibley design however required no guy ropes, being held down by twenty-four pegs around the base. The design has been adapted over the years to form what is now known as the Bell Tent.

Victorian Rifles Officer in front of Sibley Tent in about 1915

The Bell Tent, sometimes known as a Sibley Tent, is a tried and tested 19th century design which has stood the test of time.

The Bell Tent, formerly The Sibley Tent, was invented by an American military officer Henry Hopkins Sibley, who had studied the tipi during the expeditions he carried out in the Old West. The Sibley design however required no guy ropes, being held down by twenty-four pegs around the base.

The design has been adapted over the years to form what is now known as the Bell Tent.


Interestingly Sibley’s design was granted a US Patent on April 22, 1856. The US Army used the tent exclusively during the Utah Expedition during the winter of 1857-1858, proving the design. In accordance with an 1858 agreement with the Department of War, Sibley would have received $5 USD for every tent made. However, Sibley resigned from the US Army to join the Confederate States Army after the outbreak of the American Civil War. He received no royalties on his patent. The Union Army produced and used nearly 44,000 Sibley tents during the war. After Sibley's death, his relatives attempted unsuccessfully to collect the royalties from the Department of Defence.

Interestingly Sibley’s design was granted a US Patent on April 22, 1856. The US Army used the tent exclusively during the Utah Expedition during the winter of 1857-1858, proving the design.

In accordance with an 1858 agreement with the Department of War, Sibley would have received $5 USD for every tent made. However, Sibley resigned from the US Army to join the Confederate States Army after the outbreak of the American Civil War. He received no royalties on his patent.

The Union Army produced and used nearly 44,000 Sibley tents during the war. After Sibley's death, his relatives attempted unsuccessfully to collect the royalties from the Department of Defence.