Combat Archery Update

Greetings unto the Marshals of Ealdormere

I have been thinking long and hard about the request from the Combat Archery Community to allow the use of Thin Shaft Arrows.

I respect that there is strong opinions on both sides of this issue.

At this time I have decided to allow Thin Shaft Arrows as an experimental weapon form in Ealdormere.

In regards to lack of space to use Fiberglass arrows I suggest that scenarios can be made to accommodate safety for both participants and spectators. In my opinion it is up to the Combat Archery Community to prove to all that this can be done in a safe and controlled manner.

This experiment will start after Pennsic this year 2016.
(If you are a Combat Archery Marshal or MIT I suggest you spend some time at Combat Archery Point at Pennsic this year)

As an experimental weapon form ANY TIME Thin Shaft Arrows are going to be used everybody on the field must be informed of their use. Anyone has the right not to fight when they are in use.

I will require a summary report on the use Thin Shaft Arrows after every event that uses them.

To have Combat Archery at your event there must be an authorized Combat Archery Marshal in Charge.

The Experiment will be following the Pennsic Combat Archery rules.

Bows using Shafted Ammunition will have A Maximum Draw weight of 30LBS at 28”; Crossbows will have a Maximum Draw of 600 inch pounds.

All Weapons will need to measure the draw weight with a calibrated scale to ensure it is within appropriate specs for the combat ammo it will shoot.

All shafted Ammunition must be inspected before being allowed on the battlefield. Once used it needs to be re-inspected. (Note if you drop an arrow I consider it used and cannot be picked up and shot until after it has been re-inspected)

Fiberglass-Shafted Ammunition

a) DO NOT cover the entire head of any style Baldar head being used on fiberglass shafts with tape. The type of head must be inspected by observation to insure the proper head is being used and the condition of the head. This cannot be done if the head is completely covered with tape.

b) NO form of plastic or feather fletching will be permitted on fiberglass shaft ammunition.

c) Fiberglass-shaft arrows and bolts must be equipped with a Society approved anti-penetration device (APD).

d) Solid-style nock ASGARD (APDs) anti-penetration devices are permitted to be used ONLY if the nock remains solid or is completely cut off. Cutting any type of slot into the solid nock is not a Society approved modification and will not pass inspection.

e) Absolutely no wooden shafts are permitted. Metal is NOT allowed in ANY part of the ammunition construction.

f) Fiberglass-shaft arrows/bolts must be covered from behind the blunt, to the front of the Anti-
Penetration Device (APD), in a sturdy tear-resistant tape, such as strapping, electrical, or duct tape.

g) Grab both head & tail and pull “away” with moderate force. If either head or APD moves longitudinally, the ammunition fails.

h) Hold the shaft and APD close together and attempt rotation of the APD using minor torque as not to overly stress any existing glue seal. If any rotation of the APD occurs, the ammunition fails and needs re-securing.

i) Hold the shaft and head close together and attempt rotation of the collar using minor torque so as not to overly stress any existing glue seal. If greater than slight rotation of the collar upon the shaft occurs, the ammunition fails.

j) “Slight rotation” has been roughly defined by previous KEM’s to mean no greater than 1/8” lateral movement around the shaft.

k) If ammunition is a type using foam on the tip, check that the foam tip cannot be forced more than
½ inch into a legal faceguard. If penetration COULD occur more than ½ inch inside a grill, the ammunition fails.

l) Check the shaft for signs of cracking or other failure.

m) Check that ammo is properly labeled and taped

If you have any questions regarding this matter Please contact me.

YIS

Rattanicus