[Ansteorra-archery] Fw: [SCA-MissileCombat] Combat Archery Testing Procedures - APD's

[Bob Dewart]

Here they are folks, the long awaited testing procedures.

Gilli

----- Original Message -----
From: <longbow at sgi.net>
To: <SCA-Archery at yahoogroups.com>; <SCA-MissileCombat at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 5:31 PM
Subject: [SCA-MissileCombat] Combat Archery Testing Procedures - APD's


>
> This is part one of a many part document. Testing procedures for
> tubular arrows will start to be compiled at the end of June.
> THL Gwilym
> Society Archery Marshal
>
> ----------------------------------------------
> Society for Creative Anachronism
> Combat Archery Testing Procedures
>
> June 2001
>
> The task ...
> Devices must prevent penetration into a grill from reasonably expected
>
> force levels. This means that while you might be able to drive an
> arrow into a grill with a hammer, (or force it by hand) it might still
>
> acceptably prevent penetration from a tumbling or bouncing arrow.
> "An arrow must be designed in such a manner which prevents the nock
> from penetrating an SCA-legal helm more that ½ inch."
>
> Society Earl Marshal
>
>
> The following are the guidelines for the testing of Combat equipment
> and their various components in the SCA. While up to this point the
> procedures have varied greatly, the Combat Archery Council feels that
> a standard guideline is appropriate. We have looked at the efforts of
> many archers and have found that there are enough similarities that we
>
> have put together this set of directions. We have a request however.
> While many ideas have come and gone we request that if someone wants
> to try a particular design or material, and whether it passes or fails
>
> we would like to know of it. We would also like to know what you
> tested and how you did it.  We would like to have 'specific'
> information on the materials used. I.e.: Manufacturers information and
>
> numbers if at all possible. This would save other testers in other
> kingdoms the time and effort of duplication. Also we could easily
> identify materials that just don't make the grade. So your cooperation
>
> in this matter would be greatly appreciated. These guidelines are a
> work in progress and will be updated as more information becomes
> available.
>
> THL Gwilym
> Society Archery Marshal
>
>
> This document may be modified or updated in the future but will carry
> that current date.
>
> For testing purposes we recommend the following guidelines.
>
> In order to prevent injuries to archers doing testing it is
> recommended that the archer wear a minimum of a leather gloves during
> testing, to prevent minor or major hand injuries. If your kingdom
> requires a hockey glove on your bow hand, wear it during testing. If
> you are testing where there is a possibility of bounce back, wear a
> helm, safety goggles, or something to protect your face. Often bounce
> backs at these ranges comes straight back to the shooter (or past).
>
> Bows for testing, any bow that carries the mark of AMO (Archery
> Manufacturer Organization) rating of 30 pounds (for APD testing) or 45
>
> pounds (for tubular testing) at a 28 inch draw length is acceptable.
> We realize that all bows are not universal in efficiency but for our
> purposes any bow officially marked with either of these two draw
> weights will suffice. All tests will be performed with bows drawn to
> their specified draw length. I.e.: 28 inches.
>
> Arrows will be designated as 'Shafted' and 'Tubular'.
>
> Shafted arrows currently fall into two categories, wood shafted and
> solid fiberglass
> shafted. Most of these arrow designs are currently approved by the SCA
>
> and can be found at the websites at the end of this missive.
>
> Tubular arrows currently are constructed with 'Golf Tubes' or
> 'Siloflex" materials.
> Golf tubes are currently approved and may be found in the website
> information as well.
>
> APD 's (Anti Penetration Devices)
>
> An APD is an item attached to a shafted arrow "which prevents a nock
> from penetrating an SCA legal helm more than ½ inch. "
>
> An APD is only approved for use with one or more specified attachment
> methods.  Each additional attachment method requires separate testing.
>
> An APD must be tested (and approved) separately for wood shaft
> missiles, and fiberglass shaft missiles.
>
> The APD and attachment method must not greatly increase the chance of
> shaft breakage.
>
> The APD and attachment method must not greatly increase the chance of
> a missile flipping end over end on impact, nor must not add greatly to
>
> any other hazard.
>
>  ...... the Society minimum for the spacing on helm bars is defined to
>
> be close enough together so that a one inch (25.4 mm) diameter dowel
> may not be passed through the opening... (society rules)  Arrows
> should reflect this standard as well. Check the 'test helm' to see if
> it meets society standards before using it as a test piece. A helm
> with bars set at a one inch spacing would be a good maximum spacing,
> and a helm with bars set at no less than a 7/8 inch minimum spacing
> would be a good for testing purposes. Report the spacing on the helm
> bars as well.
>
> There are several tests of an APD.
> (Anti - Penetration Device)
> These tests are recommended for use by 600 in lb crossbows and 30 lb
> hand bows.
>
> All tests are mandatory for any new or current designs that are under
> testing.
>
> The first is a Drop test. The drop test is to insure that a nock end
> of an arrow cannot enter a helm (face plate) in any orientation when
> dropped or maneuvered by hand with a light force of approximately 5
> pounds. Any penetration by any means greater than ½ inch is not
> acceptable.
>
> Drop the arrow with an APD attached into a helm face plate from 5
> feet, 25 times, nock end first. Inspect the arrow and the APD after
> each drop for damage. The nock end should hit into the eye slots at
> least 10 times during the test.
>
> The shot test is more severe testing procedure.
>
> The second test is the Shot Test.  Make an arrow with a nock on one
> end, and a nock
> on the other with an APD attached.  Fire this arrow at full draw, APD
> end first,
> into a helm with a 30 pound bow. Shooting at an angle instead of
> straight at the helm will cause an arrow to careen off in an odd
> direction instead of straight back at you.
> Do 15 Shots at 15 ft. Also do 10 shots at a 45 degree angle at 15
> feet. Watch for differences in bounce back as an indication of other
> problems, such as severe tumbling. A tumbling arrow or bolt in a
> bounce back situation still has enough power as to cause damage to a
> secondary target. The APD must remain in place and undamaged when the
> missile is fired backwards from 15 feet at a helm face plate 5 times
> at full power.
>
> If the APD does penetrate the face plate, do the Drop Test again to
> make sure the APD is
> large enough to prevent 1/2 inch penetration.
>
>
> For the third test, the APD must remain in place and undamaged when
> the missile is fired forwards from close range at an unyielding
> surface 20 times at full draw.
>
> In all instances we are looking for 'progressive' APD failure. In
> other words for the APD coming loose or being damaged in such a way to
>
> make it unsafe or the possibility of it being small.
>
> The fourth test is a 'test to failure'. Once you have a design that
> passes the previous testing, shoot the arrow backwards until it does
> fail. How many shots did it take?  A failure at less than 5 backward
> shots or 50 forward shots shall be considered as unacceptable. Report
> these numbers as well. It gives a good indication of the realistic
> life of the design.
>
> Once you have a design that has possibilities there is one additional
> test to try. It is the Trample Test. Take the arrows to an event near
> you where there is a 'Pass' or 'Bridge' battle. Place the arrows on
> the ground where the fighters will step on them. Have the marshals
> instruct the fighters that it's okay to do this. After the battle,
> inspect all arrows for damage.  How did they do in real combat
> conditions?  When reporting, tell us if there were lots of fighters or
>
> a few, and if the trampling occurred in a small or large space. This
> will give us more information. If an APD breaks here, it doesn't
> necessarily mean it fails the testing. Can it be shaped back; does it
> keep its shape? Is it cheap enough and easy enough to make that this
> doesn't cause a problem to replace ?
>
> These tests are intended to damage the APD and its attachment method.
> They pass if there is no failure. Sudden and complete failure without
> warning signs is unacceptable.
>
> Before you do On-The-Field Testing, approach your Kingdoms Combat
> Archery Officer or
> the Kingdom Earl Marshal to see who should inspect your 'experimental'
>
> arrows. Get approval for the testing to be done. Inform the marshal in
>
> charge of the event that there is to be experimental arrows on the
> field before they start. When testing is complete give us the
> following information, your SCA name, Kingdom, Date, Material specs,
> and description of design, drawings of design (photos welcome as
> well). Also give us any information on any special taping that you
> performed on the arrows.  If the design failed inform us as to why it
> failed. This information is invaluable as well.
>
> One of the reasons for all the detailed reporting is that on the east
> coast 'Strapping Tape' has a different connotation than on the west
> coast. Brand names and numbers do make a difference. So all
> information is pertinent to the safe conduct of this sport.
>
> Reporting of range and accuracy would be of help as well. A design
> that passes the above tests but has a max range of 30 yards and an
> accurate range of 20 feet is of little use and would be rejected by
> most combat archers.
>
> Website for approved arrows is:
>
> Website is at: http://fellwalker.com/SCA/missile/ABD/index2.html
>
> Other websites for reporting of results are currently under
> construction.
>
> Report your results to any of these people.
>
> Sir Jon Fitzrauf                   sirjon1 at netcon.com
> West
> Morgan Fellwalker              m.Fellwalker at verizon.net         Caid
> Lady Tessa the Huntress  tessathehuntress at earthlink.net
> AEthelmearc
> Sir Erika Bjornsdottir           archerbear at yahoo.com
> Trimaris
> Erik Erikson the Scout           ernie at dnaco.net
> Middle
> Master Thorvald Grimsson  prescotj at telusplanet.net            Antir
> THL Gwilym                          longbow at sgi.net
> AEthelmearc
> Siegfried Sebastian Faust  eliwhite at bellatlantic.net
> Atlantia
>
> Other members of the Council are
> Duke Balder                              Trimaris
> Lady Deallac                             Atlantia
> Connor Bow Splitter                  AEthelmearc
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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