Armor Requirements and Construction

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  6. Steel Combat Weapons Standards

Steel Combat Weapons Standards

  1. The only permitted weapons are steel constructed longswords (bastard swords) and arming swords (broad swords and saber style).
  2. Swords from a reputable supplier are recommended, and they must meet the minimums. Should a marshal have a question about a weapon it may be subjected to the following:
    1. Spring test. Can the weapon be bent over the knee (3 inches?) without permanent distortion (returns/springs back to straight or true).
    1. Strike Test- Marshal strikes a steel object (could be a helmet, could be a block of steel) with a reasonable degree of force to make sure weapon doesn’t shatter.
  3. Weapons shall be in good condition with the edges having been rounded, burrs removed and no chips or dents that compromise the integrity of the weapon.
  4. Swords may have basket hilts. In conjunction with rigid constructed demi gauntlets. Baskets shall be constructed to provide all of the protection required of a gauntlet.
  5. Arming Swords shall have a lanyard to keep them from leaving the fighter’s person.
  6. The cross guard of all weapons shall not extend more than 35 MM from the gauntlet.
  7. The following weapons are prohibited:
    1. Weapons with a tip less than 20 mm
    1. Axes (1 Hand or 2 handed)
    1. Maces
    1. Polearms
    1. Falchions
    1. Katanas
    1. Any weapon may be rejected for cause by the inspecting marshal.
  8. Weapon minimum standards
    1. Arming Sword/ Broad Sword: • Max Weight 1.7 kg • Minimum Length 72cm • Max Length 100cm • Min. Handle length 12cm • Max. Handle length 20cm • Blade thickness min 2mm • Tip diameter 20mm
      1. Additional requirements: • Arming sword/Side Sword style only
    1. Long sword/ Bastard Sword: • Max Weight 2.3 kg • Minimum Length 100cm • Max Length 140cm • Min. Handle length 20cm • Max. Handle length 40cm • Blade thickness min 2mm • Tip diameter 20mm
      1. Additional requirements: • European 2H/Long Sword styles only
  9. Shields
    1. General Shields shall be no more than 23. 5 inches wide and no taller than 30 inches. Shields shall be appropriately edged to prevent splinters, metal shavings, or debris that may fit through the face plate of a combatant. The edge of the shield must be maintained. Hand protection behind the shield shall equal gauntlet and forearm protection as stated above. There is no minimum weight for shields. All bucklers will remain within the above listed standard.
    1. Shield minimum standards
      1. Bucklers: • Max size – 16 inches Minimum edge thickness 4 mm • Made from either: o Wood with leather/rawhide covering o Aluminum blank o Plastic ¼” o Steel with rolled protective edge (4mm roll)
      1. Shields: • Max Height 30 Max Width 23.5” • Minimum edge thickness 4 mm • Made from either: o Wood with leather/rawhide covering o Aluminum blank o Plastic ¼” o Steel with rolled protective edge (4mm roll)

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