Notes - Missile Weapon Standards

Bows

Inspection of bows - 2018

Society Marshals Handbook requires that during inspection, all equipment must have its poundage and draw physically measured with a ruler or other metered device and poundage scale.

Marshals must calibrate their bow scales regularly to be accurate at 30 pounds, as measurements obtained with commonly-used, standard spring-type scales can vary over time.

The method for measuring bow poundage has been updated to match the Archery Manufacturers Organisation standards for how bows are measured. Manufacturer's tolerances have also been included - eg a bow measuring 29, 30 or 31 pounds will be marked and sold as a 30 pound bow, so marshals should accept the same tolerances.

Minimum poundage requirements have been included in the Society rules.

Bows must be powered by the flex of the limbs - 2018

Society Marshals Handbook states that bows must be powered by the flex of the limbs. This prohibits the use of devices such as bungeelistas.

Arrows and Bolts

Securing blunts - removing tape specification - July 2024

The requirement for tape used to secure blunts to be exactly 13mm wide has been removed. As long as the tape is suffcient to keep the blunt on the shaft securely, you can use other width tape.

Lochac Archery Exemption (December 2011)

The Kingdom of Lochac has permission to practice combat archery with parameters that deviate from Society Standards for arrow construction:

• The use of wooden shafted arrows
• The use of the River Haven II blunt design.
• Arrows that do not have Anti-Penetration Devices (APDs)

Western Red Cedar approved for combat arrows - November 2015

Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) was approved timber for making combat arrows in November 2015. Under destruction testing and testing against armoured opponents in combat scenarios, it behaved identically to, and proved to be indistinguishable from Port Orford Cedar. We only knew which was which by the labelling.

Discontinuation of Ramin - July 2015

In October 2004, international trade in all species of ramin (Gonystylus spp.), a tropical hardwood mainly found in Malaysia and Indonesia, was restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as illegal logging and trade poses a continuing threat to this species, as well as the highly threatened orangutan and Sumatran tiger that rely on these forests for habitat.

This means that importation of this timber (and finished items made from it) into Australia and New Zealand can only be done with appropriate CITES permits - export permits from the country of origin as well as import permits. They cannot be moved between countries without re-export and import permits which require the original export permit from the country of origin or a Pre-CITES certificate if the item was acquired before the timber was protected. Ramin timber and items made from ramin imported without the appropriate permits are subject to forfeiture.

Although it has proved to be a safe and cheap material for combat arrow shafts, we cannot condone the use of this timber for what is a disposable item.

From 7 July 2015, no one is to purchase ramin from timber merchants for the purposes of making SCA combat arrows. Those SCA participants who currently have stocks of legally imported ramin may use and sell what remains of their own stocks, though please consider a more permanent use than combat arrows if possible.

Marshals are asked to report on the number of ramin combat arrows in use among your participants, as well as what stockpiles of ramin shafts remain to be turned into arrows. The rate at which the supply is depleted will help us determine when a complete ban on ramin combat arrows will be implemented. - Angele de Savigny (Deputy Earl Marshal for Archery)

Silver Ash added as arrow timber - January 2003

In addition to the woods allowed for combat archery shafts in the KOLCH, Tasmanian Oak and Silver Ash 5/16" (~8mm) are also now allowed to be used in Lochac. NB: Clarification May 2006: any shaft, no matter what the timber, can be up to 8mm diameter.

Tasmanian Oak added as arrow timber - September 2002

In addition to cedar and ramin (now removed) for the making of combat arrows, Tasmanian Oak may also be used.

Other missile weapons

Spear throwers etc - 2008

Society rules prohibit the use of missile weapons intended to simulate firearms, slings, staffslings, and atlatls.

Rattan approved for thrust and throw javelins - November 2004

Thrust and throw rattan javelins have been approved for use by heavy missile combatants. Overall length of javelins shall be between 1.1m and 1.65m. Rattan javelins are exempt from being wrapped in tape. Striking tips shall be constructed according to tourney weapons thrusting tip standards. The total weight of the javelin will not exceed 500g. Javelins shall be marked for ownership. Javelins shall be constructed so that when thrown head-first, they will always strike head-first. If necessary, fins, fletchings, streamers, etc. will be used to pre-vent the javelin from turning and striking butt first. The fins must be constructed of a non rigid material, such as closed cell foam or leather.