Rapier Marshals Handbook - Midrealm / Middle Kingdom

2.3 MIDDLE KINGDOM EXPERIMENTATION PROCEDURES
Rev. 2.0
20 th of July, A.S. XXXV
2-9
2.3.1 GENERAL
Continuing experimentation with alternate materials and historical weaponry discovered in the course
study has broadened the range of weaponry and protective equipment available for rapier combatants in
the S.C.A., Inc. and the Middle Kingdom. In all cases where a participant wants to try out something
new, safety should be considered paramount. The Marshallate is responsible for maintaining the safety
standards for Rapier Combat and are allowed to refuse the use of weapons or equipment that represent a
hazard to the participant or the opponent. Both Kingdom Earl Marshal and Kingdom Rapier Combat
Marshal can also appoint special testing supervisors from among senior Marshallate staff to field test
weapons and materials for general use. All weapons not classified in Section 2.2.2 are considered
experimental weapons and subject to Marshallate restriction in practices, tournaments, and melees.
Weapons or equipment constructed of other than Section 2.1 and 2.2 accepted materials must be
approved by the Kingdom Earl Marshal or Kingdom Rapier Marshal and a Writ of Experimentation
granted.
2.3.2 STANDARDS AND RESTRICTIONS
Use of experimental weapons, protective gear and materials
A. WRIT OF EXPERIMENTATION
1) Only fencers who have obtained a Writ of Experimentation signed by the Kingdom Earl
Marshal or Kingdom Rapier Marshal may use experimental weapons. The fencer must present
this Writ at the request of any marshal.
2) Experimental Protective Gear shall be allowed with a Writ of Experimentation signed by the
Kingdom Earl Marshal or Kingdom Rapier Marshal, following guidelines similar to those for
experimental weapons.
B. USAGE
1) Experimental weapons may be used at practices and events.
2) In melees, experimental weapons may only be used with the consent of all participating fencers
and marshals.
3) Experimental weapons may not be used at demos.
C. RIGHT OF REFUSAL
1) Any rapier combat participant can refuse the use of an experimental weapon by an opponent
without forfeiting the bout
2) Marshals can restrict or refuse the use of any experimental weapon or armor found by the
Marshal to be unsafe or dangerous to the user or other participants.
3) The decision to refuse or restrict an experimental item can be appealed up the Marshallate chain
of authority, until final a decision is made by the Kingdom Earl Marshal or the Crown.
2.3.3 CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
A. CONSTRUCTION
Construction of experimental weapons and armor will follow the guidelines as prescribed in Section
2.2.2.
B. MATERIALS
Materials other than those described in Section 2.1.3 will be subject to testing to ensure safety in use
and failure, and are subject to restriction based on testing as specified by the Kingdom Earl Marshal
or a designated representative.
2.3.4 EXPERIMENTATION PROCEDURES
Experimental procedures will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Kingdom Earl Marshal,
Kingdom Rapier Combat Marshal or designated special testing supervisors.
END OF MIDDLE KINGDOM EXPERIMENTATION PROCEDURES
SECTION 2
EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
Change 1 (replace 1-6, 1-7, 1-9, 2-3, 2-7, 2-8 & 2-9, remove pages 1-8 & 1-10), - Effective 5/1/02