MK Marshal's Handbook - Weapons Standards

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See Marshal's handbook

Weapons Standards

A. General

1. With the exception of the hilts, guards and pommels, no metal or non-approved rigid, granular, or liquid material may be used in the construction of single or two-handed weapons including spears.

a. The striking surface of a weapon is to be considered throughout the entire striking portion, blade, or head, of the weapon, not only the outside "skin" or layer. This includes all interior construction materials and parts no matter how

"deep" inside.

b. Duct tape that contains metal may not be used to construct weapons.

2. Primary weapons used single-handed shall have a wrist strap (or equivalent restraint) which will keep the weapon from leaving the immediate area of the user if released during any part of a bout or combat. Restraints are not required on hafted weapons used single-handed, or on single-handed back-up weapons.

3. Flails are expressly prohibited.

4. Mechanical devices known as “sliders,” which are used to guide or propel spears, are prohibited.

5. All weapons shall have all cutting edges and thrusting tips marked in a contrasting color.

6. The striking surfaces of all weapons, including the tip, shall be wrapped in a manner that allows no rattan splinters to protrude.

7. All thrusting tips and striking heads must be securely attached to the weapon.

8. The edges and tips of all striking surfaces shall be rounded.

9. No part of a weapon shall have sharp edges or protrusions with cross-section of less than 1.25 inch (31.8mm) in diameter. Guards, pommels, hooks, etc., shall be firmly and securely affixed to the weapon haft.

10. It shall not be possible to force into a legal face guard, any part of a weapon which may reasonably be expected to contact an opponent during combat more than .5 inch (12.7 mm). Rattan weapons may have a handle section which is less than 1.25 inch (31.8 mm), so long as it meets this criterion. Combat archery shafts may be thinner as long as the head and tail meet the criteria.

11. Rattan shall not be treated in any way that will substantially reduce its flexibility (e.g., treated with wax, resin, fiberglass, etc.).

12. No missile weapons intended to simulate firearms, slings, slingstaffs, nor can atlatls be used on the field of armored combat.

13. No “punch weapons” or thrusting weapons that have the blade or tip more perpendicular than parallel to the grip.

14. No shovel handles on any thrusting weapon.

15. Weapons under 48” (1.22 m) or greater than 7’ 6” (2.29 m) in length may have either a thrusting tip or a butt spike, but not both at the same time.

B. Single-Handed Weapons

Weapons that shall be used in one hand shall have the following requirements:

1. Single-handed weapons shall be not less than 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) in total diameter (including tape) along its entire length excepting the handle, and shall be constructed of one of the following:

a. Rattan

b. rattan-cored Siloflex or

c. Siloflex-equivalent

2. Rattan-cored Siloflex or Siloflex equivalent weapons shall be constructed using tubular materials meeting ASTM standard D-2239 or the international equivalent, with a pressure rating of 160 PSI or greater, having at least a 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) diameter on the outside and at least .125 (that is, 1/8) inch (3.2 mm) walls, and having an inner core of rattan that fills the interior of the tubular material entirely. Periodic inspection shall be made to determine the condition of the inner core.

3. If the weapon has a head, it shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft. The head shall allow at least .5 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft.

4. No weapon may have a cutting and/or smashing surface at both ends.

5. When thrusting tips are used, they shall be at least the same diameter as the shaft of the weapon they are mounted on and have at least .75 inch (19.1 mm) of resilient material in front of the rigid tip of the weapon providing at least .375 (that is, 3/8) inch (9.53 mm) of progressively resistant give across the face of the thrusting tip. (Note: Pressing with the thumb into the center of the thrusting tip is not an adequate test. The give must be across the entire face of the tip.)

6. Swords shall have a hand guard, such as a basket hilt, quillions, or equivalent.

7. Maces may be constructed of a single piece of rattan, or with a separate, attached head.

a. When constructed of a single piece of rattan, the head must be carved to create an area that is clearly distinct from the haft. Tape alone is insufficient for this delineation. Maces constructed in the manner will not exceed 48” and MUST be

used with a single hand only.

b. Maces constructed using a separate, attached head, will adhere to the rules outlined above in section VIII.B.3

c. Bar maces and similar style of weapons are strictly forbidden.

8. Total weapon mass shall not exceed 5 pounds (2.27 kg).

C. Two-Handed Weapons

Weapons which may be used with one or two hands shall have the following requirements:

1. Weapons shall be constructed of rattan of not less than 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) in diameter (including tape). Polearms may contain blades constructed of split rattan, so long as the piece(s) are securely fastened to the haft.

2. The weapon shall not be excessively flexible.

3. If the weapon has a head, it shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft. The head shall allow at least .5 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft. Semirigid ultra-lightweight shaped foam heads and laminated or split rattan construction techniques do not require .5 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give, so long as their construction imparts striking characteristics similar to an unpadded weapon constructed of a single piece of rattan.

a. Polearms over 6 feet must be unpadded.

b. Foam weapon heads and unpadded Rathbone axe heads are legal on weapons 6 feet and under

c. Weapons over 48 inch in length may NOT have a 360° striking surface

d. Weapons may not combine padded and unpadded striking surfaces.

e. No weapon may have a cutting and/or smashing surface at both ends.

4. Thrusting tips:

a. When thrusting tips are used on rattan weapons with greater length than 7.5 feet (2.286 m), they shall be no less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) in diameter/cross-section and have 2 inches (50.8 mm) of resilient material in front of the rigid tip of the

weapon, thereby providing progressively resistant give.

b. When thrusting tips are used on rattan weapons with length less than or equal to 7.5 feet, they shall be at least the same diameter as the shaft of the weapon they are mounted on and have 1.5 inches (38.1 mm) of resilient material in front of the rigid tip of the weapon, thereby providing progressively resistant give.

Note: Pressing with the thumb into the center of the thrusting tip is not an adequate test. The give must be across the entire face of the tip.

5. Weapons exceeding 7.5 feet (2.286 m) shall not be used for cutting or smashing and shall be used for thrusting only.

6. Total weapon length shall not exceed 12 feet (3.658 m).

7. Total weapon mass shall not exceed 6 pounds (2.73 kg).

D. Fiberglass Spears

1. Fiberglass spears shall not have a cutting or smashing head.

2. Fiberglass spears shall be constructed with pultruded fiberglass shafts with an outside diameter of no less than 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) and no greater than 1 5/16 inch (33.38 mm). Minimum manufacturer specified wall thickness shall be .125 (that is, 1/8) inch (3.2 mm) and the minimum measurable wall thickness shall be 3/32 inch (2.38 mm).

3. The end of the shaft which will have the thrusting tip attached must be covered with a schedule-40 PVC cap with an interior diameter the same as the outside diameter of the shaft (1.25 inches or 31.8 mm). The thrusting tip will then be attached over this cap.

4. All fiberglass spears must have a thrusting tip that is a minimum of 2 inches (50.8 mm) in diameter/ cross-section and have 2 inches (50.8 mm) of resilient material in front of the PVC end cap, thereby providing progressively resistant give without allowing contact with the PVC end cap.

Note: The use of Mandrake-style rubber thrusting tips is prohibited on fiberglass spears in the Middle Kingdom.

5. Shafts may be spliced using a fiberglass rod or tube with a sidewall of .125 inch (3.2 mm) of the same or equivalent material, having an outside diameter of 1 inch (25.4 mm) and a length of 8–12 inches (203–304 mm). Only two splices will be allowed per spear shaft. Each end to be spliced shall be cut square and clean of cracks or frayed fibers. The rod shall extend at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) into each spliced end. One or both of these two methods shall secure the splice:

a. Epoxying both ends of the fiberglass rod before insertion.

b. Epoxying one end of the fiberglass rod before insertion and thoroughly taping the splice over with fiber tape.

6. The butt end of the shaft shall be smooth and free of cracks or frayed fibers. The butt shall be taped over or otherwise sealed. If a weapon is completely taped, a marshal may require that one section be untaped enough to determine that pultruded fiberglass has been used in the construction of the shaft.

7. Total spear length shall be greater than 7.5 feet and less than 12 feet (3.658 m).

E. Throwing Weapons

These weapons may be used for striking and may also be thrown in melee scenarios where thrown weapons are allowed. Examples are thrust-and-throw javelins, axes, knives, etc.

1. Shafts shall be constructed of rattan not less than 1.25 inch (31.8 mm) in diameter along its entire length or of two layers of Siloflex or equivalent. The outer layer shall be 1 inch (25.4 mm) inner diameter Siloflex (1.25 inch [31.8mm] outer diameter) and the inner layer shall be 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) inner diameter Siloflex. All Siloflex used for throwing weapons must have a pressure rating of 160 PSI or greater. If Siloflex is used, both ends of the shaft shall be covered with either a schedule-40 PVC cap with an interior diameter the same as the outside diameter of the shaft (1.25 inches [31.8 mm]), or with a rubber stopper or equivalent means to prevent the tubing from penetrating the thrusting tip(s), fastened securely in place by tape and/or glue.

2. Thrusting tips on plastic tubing based hand thrown objects (examples are thrust-and-throw javelins, axes, knives, etc.) should be made in the same manner as a tubular Combat Archery rubber stopper arrow or bolt, if the PVC cap method is not used

3. Thrusting tips shall be used on any tip that can be reasonably assumed to contact a fighter when the weapon is used or thrown. Tips shall be no less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) in diameter/cross-section and have 2 inches (50.8 mm) of resilient material in front of the rigid tip of the weapon, thereby providing progressively resistant give.

4. If the weapon has a head, it shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft or handle. The head shall allow at least .5 inch (12.7 mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft or handle.

5. The weapon must have the owner’s name, kingdom, and branch clearly and legibly printed on it in English characters for identification.

6. Total mass of the weapon shall not exceed 2 pounds (0.91 kg).

F. Combat Archery Bows/Crossbows

For complete information regarding the construction and inspection of Combat Archery Weapons and Combat Archery Ammunition in the Middle Kingdom see The Middle Kingdom Combat Archery Handbook and the 35 Foot Spear Website