“Maintain Rigid Flexibility”

Combat Archery seems to be one of the most regulated activates in armored combat.  This site will attempt to keep pace with the seemingly never-ending changing of combat archery rules and standards.  There needs to be a source for the most current information to help combat archers keep their equipment up to date, to keep current with the rules and standards of the moment and to share better ways of doing things.

The 35-Foot Spear site is an ongoing project that probably will never be finished.  Many people have worked on the rules and standards to make it as simple and safe as possible. 

News Flash

March 22, 2013

I have been making every effort to pass the word as quickly as possible on issues that involve combat archery and Pennsic 42 so you can pass it on to the combat archers in your Kingdom however you decide is best.

I have just found out the following:

1. There will be Combat Archery in most battles, usually one in the last one of a series of 3 or 5 battles.

2. There will be NO gleaning of tubular combat archery ammunition at Pennsic 42.

This information is current as of today. I don't see it changing before war but if their Majesties decided to change it, then it will be changed of course.

Master Erik Erikson the Scout
Pennsic 42 Combat Archery Marshal-in-Charge
Middle Kingdom

This site has not changed for a while.  The reason for this is that an update of the Middle Kingdom Combat Archery Rules has been in the works since before Pennsic 41.   Since the last rules revision, many things have needed updated.  The biggest change was the Midrealm approval for use of shafted/fiberglass ammunition.  There were also some minor clarifications that needed to be made part of the official rules.

The final draft rules can be found in the “Upcoming Changes” section on the main page off to the left in the green section.  Disclaimer:  These rules are the final draft version and are only being shared for what “probably” will be approved.  Until the final notification of approval is posted, it is still only a draft.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Master Erik Erikson the Scout
DEM Combat Archery
Middle Kingdom

Latest Updates

Pennsic Rules

The following was sent out to all the different Kingdom Deputies for Combat Archery on January 3, 2013 involving the upcoming Pennsic 42 and some new rule standards.

The following rules will be the standard for Pennsic 42 and have been approved by the Marshal-in-Charge.  Please utilize whatever method you prefer to pass the word to the combat archers in your Kingdom as soon as possible. This should give folks a heads up for what to expect at this year’s Pennsic.

It is hoped that any additional changes for Pennsic 42 will be minor in nature. (So hope we all) 

Disclaimer:  Every attempt will always be made to try and ensure that the online rules posted for Pennsic combat archery as well as the Pennsic Booklet reflect the most current rules.  Due to a variety of circumstances this doesn't always happen.  The Pennsic Combat Archery Marshal-in-Charge (working with the Pennsic Marshal-in-Charge) reserves the right to make any modifications as necessary.  If any changes are made, every attempt will be made to notify the people in charge of each Kingdom's combat archery program so they can notify those in their Kingdom as soon as possible beforehand.  If the situation is such that changes must be made at War then that is also within the scope of the Pennsic Combat Archery Marshal-in-Charge.

All combat archery ammunition must have a printed label (not hand written) with the owner’s name and Kingdom affixed to it. The label must be in English utilizing a legible/readable font and be completely covered with clear wrapping / shipping tape.
If the combat archery ammunition is group ammunition, the group name can be used in place of the owner's name.  If the group name is used, a point of contact for within the group is required.  Specifying the Kingdom is mandatory on all labels.
It is suggested that the label be put at the opposite end from the head, being that spray paint inspection markings are usually done towards the head end.
Note:  This rule will aid in inspection, increase the ability to establish ownership if there is a problem and assist in getting ammo back to the owner.
 A message was sent out before Pennsic 41 to all Kingdom DEMs for Combat Archery letting them know about the change for Pennsic 42.  Also, this same message was passed on to the combat archers when they came through Inspection Point at Pennsic 41.

Tubular shaft ammunition is NOT permitted to have any slit cut into the shaft to insert any type of fin or fletching. 

The tail end of the shaft may still have a nock cut into it up to ½ inch in depth.

Note:  This rule is to address concerns about the foam fletching pulling inside the shaft when stepped upon, allowing the edges of the slits to overlap and thus creating a profile that may potentially go through a legal helmet grill.  A solid, intact piece of Sil-o-Flex (or equivalent) is stronger than a shaft that has slits cut into it. 

At Pennsic 41 an easy and efficient fix was found that will enable most tubular ammo with slits cut into the shaft to be reworked and used.  This fix has only been tested on ammunition that followed the approved fin construction standards.

If you elect to rework your tubular ammo that has slits in it, the following should work.  Rework only one piece of ammo, then take it out and shoot it, ensuring that it flies safely before choosing whether to rework the rest.  Does it fly safely or does it tumble end over end? The examples we saw at Pennsic flew straight with no wobble and actually flew a little further than they did before.

To make this modification/rework you need a one-inch wood dowel and a ratchet-style PVC cutter to make the cut.  Put the wood dowel into the tubular shaft until it is just short of the part of the slit furthest away from the end.  The dowel gives strength to the shaft where you are making the cut.  Put the cutter blade just ahead of the dowel.  Squeeze two or three times and you have a very clean cut taking off the part of the tube that has the slits in it.  Depending on the location and length of the slit, you should be shortening the shaft between 3 ½ and 3 ¾ inch. 

If you don’t want to spend the money for a cutter you would only use once, there will be one or two cutters and dowels available for use at the Pennsic 42 Inspection Point. We will show you how to do one or two and you can then go to work.  If possible please don’t show up when we are really busy – priority will go to those getting ammunition and equipment inspected. 

It is very possible that you will be able to modify your tubular ammo so that they no longer have slits and thus be able to use them at Pennsic 42.  Don’t forget – preliminary testing so far has shown that the tubular ammunition that has been modified in the manner described above should fly as well, if not better, than before the modifications were made.

If you find another method that works for you, please share it.  We will be glad to learn of it.

Shafted Ammunition:  DO NOT cover the entire head of any style Baldar 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 completely covered with tape.

Note:  For Inspection purposes you must be able to see one side of the Baldar completely clear of tape.   For instance, marshals need to be able to tell whether the head a legal two-piece classic Baldar or an illegal-on-fiberglass one-piece Baldar.  They also must be able to tell whether the head is the approved “Fathead Baldar” or the illegal CUBB 1 that was experimented with.  Both are the same color and the only difference that can be easily seen is the CUBB 1 is made up of two sections while the “Fathead Baldar” is three sections. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at ernieh@siscom.net.   Please take the time to let me know that you did receive this.

I have done everything I can think of to make these changes work. 

Master Erik Erikson the Scout
Pennsic 42 Combat Archery Marshal-in-Charge

Midrealm-specific Combat Archery construction standards updates

1. Taping of Fathead Blunts onto Fiberglass Shafts

In the July 2012 Pale under Deputy Report Combat Archery there was a change posted. The change involved changing over from using electrical tape for the cross over pieces to utilizing fiberglass-reinforced tape. Originally the standards stated that you use (3/4 inch fiberglass-reinforced tape).

I have had discussions with combat archers in our Kingdom who asked why we had to use 3/4 inch wide. They pointed out that only about 1/2 of an inch of the tape makes contact with the surface of the Fathead Baldar blunt and the rest doesn't.

After playing around and testing different widths of the fiberglass-reinforced tape I agree with them totally. So, the standards will go from (3/4 inch fiberglass-reinforced tape) to using at least (1/2 inch fiberglass-reinforced tape).

I have been asked if it is allowed to put electrical tape over the crossover pieces of fiberglass-reinforced tape. The reasons given for wanting to do this make sense so at this point , I have no problem doing this as long as the electrical tape is RED. The electrical tape must be over top of the fiberglass-reinforced tape, not underneath. Please note that electrical tape on the top of the blunt is optional, NOT required.

So, here is the new standard with the minor change.

Clarification:
Everything remains the same except the fact all new ammunition must utilize the fiberglass-reinforced tape rather than electrical tape for the crossover pieces. You don't have to rework your ammunition if the electrical tape is intact. When the existing crossover pieces of red electrical tape fail inspection because more than 1/2 of the width of any piece of electrical tape is cracked or broken, you must replace the crossover pieces with fiberglass-reinforced strapping tape.

The following bolded wording is a minor change that affects the construction standards for securing a Fathead Baldar Blunt onto a fiberglass shaft. This change takes effect immediately upon construction of new fiberglass ammunition or upon repair of existing fiberglass ammunition.

Taping the Fathead onto the Fiberglass Shaft (Revised Method) January 26, 2013

• The Fathead Baldar is further secured onto the Fiberglass Shaft with red electrical tape. Using a continual piece of 3/4 inch RED electrical tape start right below the Fathead Blunt collar and do a complete wrap around the shaft, stretching it slightly. After the first wrap around start a slight spiral going from the shaft and onto the collar of the blunt using the same stretching it slightly technique. There is a ridge/collar up from the end of the blunt. Use this as the reference line in which you don’t go above it, but do tape around it at least a full turn.
  
• Start a piece of crossover tape (at least 1/2 inch fiberglass-reinforced tape) at the bottom edge of the tape you used for the first tape wrap around the shaft. You will take the crossover tape up from the bottom, over the top and down the other side to the same reference point. You will fold one side of the bottom section of the tape edge of the crossover tape onto the shaft. Repeat for the other side. Repeat the process to put on your second piece of crossover tape utilizing at least 1/2 inch fiberglass-reinforced tape.
• (Optional) If you desire to put electrical tape over the two crossover pieces of at least 1/2 inch fiberglass-reinforced tape, you may as long as the electrical tape is RED. The electrical tape must be over top of the fiberglass-reinforced tape, not underneath. Please note that electrical tape on the top of the blunt is optional, NOT required.
• Take a piece of red electrical tape and do a wrap around the junction of the fiberglass shaft into the blunt. Do two tight wraps with the tape with one half the width on the shaft and the other one half of the tape width on the collar of the blunt.
  

For those of you using the previous method you will have noticed that the electrical tape on the crossover pieces needs reworked sometimes after just one use. The fiberglass-reinforced strapping tape goes 20 or more times without the tape being damaged to where it fails inspection. The Fiberglass-reinforced strapping tape takes much more abuse and is much stronger.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these construction changes, please contact me

2. Labels

In the May 2012 Pale under Deputy Report Combat Archery how to mark your ammunition with labels was gone over. The question came up as how to mark group ammunition. This slight modification clears that up and will be the standard.

Most of you will notice no real change unless it is group ammunition. Here is the final version.

All combat archery ammunition must have a printed label (not hand written) with the owner’s name and Kingdom affixed to it.  The label must be in English utilizing a legible/readable font and be completely covered with clear wrapping/shipping tape. 

If the combat archery ammunition is group ammunition, the group name can be used in place of the owner’s name.  If the group name is used, a point of contact for within the group is required.  Specifying the Kingdom is mandatory on all labels.  

Disclaimer:

"This website is owned and managed by Ernest Husted, Jr., and is not an official publication of the SCA, Inc.  Information presented here is, to my best knowledge, an accurate reflection of the current rules of the SCA, Inc and it's respective Kingdoms, but you should verify correctness within your individual Kingdom's Marshallate structure before attempting construction based on this information.  Information linked from this website is owned by it's respective copyright holder, and is presented for educational and informational purposes only"