Lower interlocking support pole for a Bell tent

One of a pair of wooden poles. This the lower pole, supplied with a 252 mm long metal sleeve for joining the pair, approximately half of which is free to accept the upper pole. The pole end within the sleeve has been cut at an angle matching the angled end of the upper pole, to ensure minimal movement of the pole once assembled. The wood is Douglas Fir.

One half of a supporting pole for a standard pattern Bell tent, as adopted by the British Army from the late nineteenth century. This style of tent saw extensive use by Australian military forces both at home and abroad in both world wars. This example was purchased as surplus from the military by the Salvation Army in 1919 and used by their Melbourne Girls' Youth Group for camping trips into the Melbourne hinterland.