Heavy Combat Weapon Construction Rules - Empire of Medieval Pursuits

A. General

1. NO MATERIAL THAT MAY SHATTER OR DEFORM INTO A POTENTIAL CUTTING SURFACE MAY BE USED IN THE STRIKING SURFACE OF ANY WEAPON.

2. All weapons must make an acceptable attempt at appearing like an actual weapon while strictly adhering to the safety regulations.
3. Weapons 18 inches and over designed to be used single-handed shall have a wrist strap (or equivalent restraint), that will keep the weapon from leaving the immediate area of the user.
4. Weapons may be constructed of rattan or equivalent material and may have a rounded 5/8 inch rope or equivalent mounted to it defining the blade or relevant striking surface.
5. Any rattan blade or striking surface shall be no less than 1 ¼ inches (33 mm) at its widest point.
6. No striking surface shall be able to penetrate a standard bar grille more than ¾ of an inch.
7. Thrusting tips on weapons designed to be used one handed are to be constructed of at least 1 1/4 inch (33mm) of closed-cell foam or equivalent. The thrusting tip will be securely attached with at least ½ inch (12.5mm) of progressive give across the face of the thrusting tip without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon. It shall not be possible to force the thrusting tip more than 3/4 inch (19 mm) into a legal face guard.
8. Thrusting tips on weapons designed to be used two handed are to be constructed of at least 2 inches of closed-cell foam or equivalent. The thrusting tip will be securely attached with at least 1 inch (25mm) of progressive give and shall provide progressively resistant “give” under pressure without allowing contact with the rigid tip of the weapon. It shall not be possible to force the thrusting tip more than 3/4 inch (12.5 mm) into a legal face guard.
9. The full length of the blade or head, including the tip, or any portion of the weapon routinely suffering impact shall be treated in a manner which allows no rattan splinters to protrude.
10. No weapon designed for use with one hand shall weigh in excess of 5 lbs.
11. No weapon designed for use with two hands shall weigh in excess of 7 lbs.
12. The hafts and handles of all weapons shall be of no less than 1¼ inches (33 mm) in diameter.
13. Guards and pommels shall be firmly and securely affixed to the haft and leave no means of penetrating a standard visor in the course of normal combat.
14. If grips or guards are used, they shall have no sharp edges or protruding unpadded points. 15. Rattan shall not be treated in any way that will substantially reduce its flexibility (i.e.) treated with wax, resin, fiberglass, etc.

B. Swords:

1. Swords shall have a hand guard such as a basket hilt, quillons, or equivalent. It shall not be possible to force the guard more than 3/4 inch (19 mm) into a legal face guard.
2. Swords shall have a defined edge.

C. Mass Weapons:

1. The head shall not be constructed of solely rigid materials.
2. The head shall be firmly and securely attached to the haft.
3. The head shall allow at least a ½ inch (12.5mm) of progressive give between the striking surface and the weapon haft.
4. Total mass weapon length designed for single-handed use shall not exceed 42 inches.
5. Total mass weapon length designed for two-handed use shall not exceed 7 ½ feet (228.6cm).

D. Pikes:

1. Pikes shall not have a cutting or smashing head.
2. Pikes shall measure between 7’6.1 and 12 feet.
3. No pike shall weigh in excess of 5 lbs.

E. Fiberglass Pikes

1. Poltruded fiberglass piping only may be used. The piping must be 1¼ inch (33 mm) in diameter and have a sidewall of not less than 1/8-inch (3.2 mm) thickness. Hence it shall have an interior diameter of 1 inch (25.4mm).
2. The end of the shaft which will have the thrusting tip attached must be covered with an endcap and firmly glued. The thrusting tip may then be attached over this cap, and shall meet the requirements for fiberglass spear thrusting tip.
3. All fiberglass spears must be constructed so that there is a minimum of 3 inches (75 mm) of resilient material in front of the PVC endcap and shall provide progressively resistant “give” under pressure without allowing contact with the PVC endcap. It shall not be possible to force the thrusting tip more than 3/4 inch (19 mm) into a legal face guard.
4. The heads of fiberglass spears shall be firmly affixed to the shaft and shall not bend to any side significantly during typical combat situations.

F. Flails

1. Flails shall be no longer than 48 inches long.
2. Flails shall weigh no more than 5 lbs.
3. The head of a flail shall weigh no more than 1.5 lbs
4. The flexible portion of a flail shall be no longer than 15 inches from the end of the haft to the attachment point of the head and shall be a minimum of 1 inch in width.
5. The head of a flail shall be affixed in such a manner that it cannot become detached during typical combat situations.

Rules of Heavy Combat Weapon Construction