does anyone know anything about those old hirsch-weis tents? the one i have is canvas, rather squarish, and stands probably 8, maybe 9 feet tall. it's called the "overnighter," from the 70s or maybe the 60s and looks like this (not my picture):

anyway, my youngest son and i put one up today that a lady gave us. love the tent, but we must not have done the "frame poles" quite right. they look like the picture, but don't seem stable, and the whole frame wants to "twist" a bit, if a wind would hit it. don't see any ties or anything else we missed, so not sure what the problem is. there are no unused ropes or stakes, but there might be something else i don't know about. dang nice tent, though - love the canvas.

anyone have any ideas about what might be causing this?

I have a similiar tent from the 1961.  only difference I have alluminum poles at the side/top pyrimid.  those poles do exactly what you need, stop twisting.

I is a great tent 9x9 sleeps three in army cots, withenough room to stand-up and dress inside.  New medium tents today seem to want you to crawl around.

IBD the material is plastic so it doesn't breathe, and therefore needs windows.  It also has a center pole as opposed to an external frame.

Once you get use to a breathable canvas that is also waterproof, it is tough to sleep and snore in a plastic tent.  It is amazing how much water your body puts of during the night.  Multiply that by 3 guys and it is like a rain storm!

Unfortunate canvas treated is great, but heavy, mine weighs 60+ #  but I and a buddy felt it was worth packing it 30 miles in and out of the Adirondack wilderness area for a 3 week stay (also took a AL canoe).