Armored Combat:Inspecting equipment

Inspecting equipment

General information

1. At each event, the marshal-in-charge must arrange for the inspection of all equipment to be used in combat (e.g., armor and weapons). This in no way relieves the individual combatants of their responsibility for following the equipment standards.
2. Ultimately, the fighter is responsible for the condition and safety of their armor and weapons at all times.
   1. This includes periods between bouts, between battles, and day to day periods between battles at a multi-day event.
   2. Equipment that was perfectly serviceable at the beginning of the previous event could have broken since, and even the most experienced fighter can occasionally forget some piece of armor.
   3. The marshal's inspection is intended to provide a second pair of experienced eyes and an outside point of view.
3. As a marshal, you are not guaranteeing or certifying that anything is completely safe, and its use is without risk.
   1. The primary responsibility for the safety of weapons and armor remains with the fighter.
   2. You are inspecting to see whether the item (helmet, armor, weapon, how the armor sits on the fighter, etc.) complies with our published standards or not.
   3. Weapons, armor or other equipment that do not comply with our standards must not be used.
4. The purpose of our rules, standards and inspections is to reduce the chance of injury for those who participate. Even with those rules and standards, all of our combat activities can lead to injury.
5. Properly carrying out your duties as an officer of the SCA and a marshal will indemnify you in case the corporation or its officers (of which you are one) are sued.

Inspection requirements

1. Armor inspection must be done with all of the armor on the body of the fighter who is going to wear it. It is not otherwise possible to get an accurate idea of what is covered and what is not, or where gaps might occur as the combatant moves. The helm will need to be removed to inspect the interior.
2. The primary test is compliance with current rules.
3. A marshal's gauge or other measuring device should be used to ensure compliance with current rules.
4. If you (as a warranted marshal) do not believe that the weapon or armor is safe, do not let it be used on the field regardless of whether it meets all other requirements.
5. When in doubt, ask for a second opinion from another warranted marshal. Only a warranted marshal can make final decisions about weapons and armor.
6. Check that minors are appropriately marked.

Sample armor inspection

General

1. See Equipment standards - Armor for minimum armor standards.
2. The inspection outlined below is an example for armored combat with rattan, and includes combat archery.
3. It does not necessarily include checks for additional requirements that your kingdom might have added.
4. A checklist might be helpful as you do the inspection until you have done so many that it becomes second nature.
5. The fact that one of the requirements is not mentioned on this checklist does not mean that you should not notice if it has not been met.
6. Armor is hot, not to mention heavy. If possible, find shade or other protection from the elements in which to hold the inspection or, at least, for the fighters to stand in while waiting to be inspected.

Leg armor

1. Check that the front and sides of the knee are covered. If you are concerned about coverage during combat, have the fighter flex their knees (either a deep knee bend or raise one knee at a time) and see that the knee remains covered.
2. Check for signs that the equipment is faulty.

Groin

Ask the fighter if they are wearing the appropriate groin protection. It is up to the combatant to know what they need to wear. Do not attempt to check for it physically.

Kidneys and floating ribs

Check for kidney and floating rib armor. Kidneys are located in the back, at the bottom of the rib cage, not down on the hips.

Arms

Elbows

1. Check that the point and sides of each elbow are covered. If you are concerned about coverage during combat, have the fighter flex their arm to confirm that the elbow remains covered.
2. Check for signs that the equipment is faulty.

Hands and wrists

1. Check the gauntlet and/or basket hilt to see if the combination covers the required area (the hand, fingers and thumb, and one inch of the forearm).
2. Check for signs that the equipment is faulty.

Head and neck

1. Before the fighter puts their helm on, inspect the interior for:
   1. broken welds, loose rivets, and internal projections that could cause injury,
   2. the presence and condition of padding or a suspension system. Padding and suspension systems degrade over time with use and wear and will need to be repaired or replaced.
2. Have the fighter put their helm on and assume their normal fighting stance.
   1. Check that the larynx and cervical vertebrae are covered. If it appears likely these areas will not remain covered when the fighter moves, have the fighter turn or tilt their head to typical combat positions to see that the required protection remains in place.
   2. Check the face guard and eye slots do not have openings greater than 1 inch (25.4mm) that would allow a weapon to penetrate.
   3. Verify that the faceguard will not hit the fighter's face by putting your hand on the front of the helm, and have the fighter push against it. A gentle touch of the tip of the nose to the face guard at maximum pressure is undesirable, but not grounds to disqualify the helm.
   4. Check that the chinstrap is secured by lifting the helm gently.

Shield

1. Check the rim for exposed sharp edges. (For this purpose, a 90-degree angle is a sharp edge.)
2. Check the rest of the shield for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that it is faulty.
3. Check for bolts that extend more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) past the nut. If found, these should be covered by tape, padding, or an acorn nut.

Sample handheld weapon inspection

See Equipment standards - Handheld weapons for minimum handheld weapon standards.

Swords

1. Check that they meet the minimum diameter (1 1/4 inch (31.8mm)). A marshaling gauge will speed this up enormously.
2. Check that the ends are taped and that there are no exposed cuts in the rattan.
3. Check the quillons or basket hilts for sharp edges, broken or missing rivets, or other signs that they are coming apart.
4. Check the wrist strap or other means of keeping the sword from flying away.

Thrusting tips

1. Check that they have the minimum thickness and cross section.
2. Check that it the tip is constructed in such a manner that it cannot be forced more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) into a legal faceguard.

Mass weapons

1. Check the padding for give.
2. Check the wrist strap (single-handed mass weapons only).
3. Consider the total mass of the weapon.

Pole weapons

1. Check the thrusting tip, if any.
2. Check the padding for give.
3. Consider the total mass of the weapon.
4. Check that the weapon meets the relevant length restrictions.

Sample combat archery inspection

See Equipment standards - Ranged weapons, and Equipment standards - Missiles for minimum equipment standards.

Bow

1. Ensure that the string is not showing excessive wear.
2. Measure the power of the bow with a calibrated scale to ensure it is within appropriate specs. There are two approved methods to measure a bow's poundage:
   • Using a measuring device calibrated to 28 inches of draw, use the bow scale to measure from the back of the bow at full draw.
   • Using a measuring device calibrated to 26 1/4 inches of draw, use the bow scale to measure from the pivot point of the bow at full draw. (This is sometimes referred to as True Draw Length.)
3. Check the bow itself for cracks or gouges, as well as for significant limb twist that could make the string leave the tips.
4. Heavy bows only - ensure that the upper limb of the bow is marked with at least 4 inches of red material.

Crossbow

1. Ensure that the string is not showing excessive wear.
2. Measure the power of the crossbow with a calibrated scale and multiply that measurement by the length of the draw to ensure it is within appropriate specs.
3. Check that the lock mechanism releases smoothly under simulated pressure.
4. Check that the lock mechanism is solid and will not accidentally fire.
5. Ensure the stock has no failures between the bow/prod and lock.
6. Check that the prod is secure to the stock and free from any defects.
7. Heavy crossbows only - ensure that one arm of the bow/prod is marked with at least 4 inches of red material.

Ammunition

1. Based upon the type of ammunition, check that all dimensions meet or exceed the minimum requirements.
2. With two fingers and a thumb, grab both head and tail and pull with moderate force while slightly twisting. If either end moves laterally, it fails.
3. If the ammunition is made with foam, check that the tip is constructed in such a manner that it cannot be forced more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) into a legal faceguard.
4. If the blunt is commercially manufactured, ensure it is in good repair.
5. Check the shaft and anti-penetration device (if applicable) for signs of cracking or other failure. If a marshal can place a fingernail in a defect, then it fails.
6. Check that it is properly labeled and taped.