The Empire of Medieval Pursuits

Definitions:

-Rigid material – metal of at least 18 Ga., stainless steel of at least 20 Ga. Or titanium of at least 22 Ga. Heavy Leather hardened by wax, or some equivalent.
-Heavy Leather – either non-oiled leather of 8 –10 oz. thickness, or oiled leather between 10 – 12 oz. Thickness. Or some equivalent.
-Heavy Padding- an equivalent of 3/8 inch closed cell foam, quilted material of enough bulk to provide protection from the impact of an EMP weapon during typical combat situations.

 

A. Helms

1. Helms shall be constructed of steel of no less than 16 gauge, or of equivalent material. Alternative materials such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, or like materials are permissible as long as the materials are functionally equivalent to 16-gauge steel.

2. All joints or seams shall be constructed in one or a combination of the following ways:
-Welded on the inside and outside.
- Welded with a single bead that extends through both surfaces.
- Lap joints welded or brazed at the edges of both pieces.
- Helms will be riveted with iron or steel rivets no more than 2-1/2 inches (63.5 mm) apart, or with equivalent riveting techniques. Screws and or pop type rivets, along with other lightweight rivets, are not to be used.
-Welds must be sound and rivets secure.

3. Face guards shall prevent a 1-inch (25.4-mm) diameter dowel from entering into any of the face guard openings.

4. The face guard shall extend at least 1 inch (25 mm) below the bottom of the chin and jaw line when the head is held erect.

5. Bars used in the face guard shall be steel of not less than 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter, or equivalent. If the span between crossbars is less than 2 inches, 1/8-inch diameter bars may be used.

6. All visors shall be attached and secured in such a way that the chance that it will become detached or come open in normal combat use is minimized.

7. There shall be NO major internal projections; minor projections of necessary structural components shall be padded. All metal shall be free of sharp edges. Face guard bars or mesh should not attach to the interior of the helm, unless of structurally superior design and workmanship.

8. All parts of the helm that might come into contact with the wearer’s head shall be padded with a minimum of ½ inch (13 mm) of resilient or closed-cell foam, or shall be suspended in such a way as to prevent injurious contact with the wearer.

9. If eyewear is worn it must not be allowed to contact the helm itself during normal combat conditions. The lens of all eyewear shall be shatterproof industrial safety glass or plastic. The wearing of contact lenses or “sports glasses” is strongly recommended.

10. All helms shall be designed to prevent the helm from being dislodged during combat.

B. Gorget:

1. The circumference of the neck must be covered by rigid material lined with foam or other equivalent designed to minimize the possibility of severe impact trauma during typical combat situations. Chainmail, heavy leather camails or aventails can be considered equivalent.

C. Cuirass, Hauberk and Codpeice:

1. A minimum of heavy padding shall be worn over the entirety of the torso including the points of the shoulders as well as the hips.

2. The kidney area and the lower spine shall be covered with a minimum of rigid material.

3. The groin must be covered by a minimum of rigid material (e.g., a gender appropriate hockey, soccer, karate, boxing, or baseball cup, is recommended), worn in a manner designed to hold the armor in place during normal combat situations.

D. Gauntlets:

1. The outer surfaces of the hand and wrist of both arms must be covered by one or a combination of the following:

2. A metal basket hilt with enough bars or plates to prevent a blow from striking the fingers or the back of the hand. If a basket hilt is used, a vambrace or partial gauntlet shall cover the remaining portions of the hand and wrist.

3. A gauntlet made of rigid plates; either lined with padding or closed cell foam, or designed to transfer potentially injurious impact to the surfaces being grasped.

4. A gauntlet of heavy leather lined with closed cell foam or heavy padding.

5. A shield with a shield basket or equivalent.

E. Arm Armor:

1. The elbow point and bones at either side of the elbow joint must be covered by a rigid material underlain by at least ¼ inch (6 mm) of resilient padding or closed-cell foam or by an approved equivalent. This armor shall be attached in such a way that the elbow remains covered during combat.

F. Cuise:

1. The kneecap and both sides of the knee joints must be covered by rigid material lined by at least ¼ inch (6 mm) of resilient padding or closed-cell foam or an approved equivalent. This armor shall be attached in such a way that the knee remains covered during combat.

2. The shins and both points of the ankle shall be protected by a minimum of heavy leather.

3. All individuals will wear sturdy footwear while engaged in combat activities.

G. Shields:

1. Shields shall be edged with material that shall minimize their capacity to damage rattan weapons or other fighters.

2. No bolts, wires, or other objects may project more than 3/8 inch (9 mm) from any part of a shield without being padded. (Rounded shield bosses are not considered to be projections.)