PROJECTILE COMBAT RULES

as used at: Cataract, NSW 1991; Glenfield, NSW 1993 and; Brisbane, QLD 1995

These rules have not been superseded but will remain static as an historical document. Any changes will be shown in the version of these rules at http://www.geocities.com/legviiii/javnsw.htm.
Cataract had its own combat rules, as did Glenfield and Brisbane, all of which have been superseded by the rules at http://www.geocities.com/legviiii/combat.htm.

This version is as used at the Sixth and Seventh Australasian Mediaeval Conferences in Sydney and at the Eighth in Brisbane. The NSW rules are also used at the Campaigns organised by the Ancients, NEMAS, and Danelaw events.

These rules use a single stylised missile weapon to represent a variety of projectiles and require no modifications to armour. Some find the stylised missile unacceptable in an historical re-enactment context.

Other versions of the projectile rules:

• Current NSW rules
• Current Victorian rules
• There are no published missile rules for Dunghaven, NSW 2007
• Nagambie, VIC 2005
• Porepunkah, VIC 2003
• Bowraville, NSW 2001
• Rowsley, VIC 1999
• Sokil, VIC 1997
• Brisbane, QLD 1995 used both the NSW and NVG rules.
• Cataract, NSW 1991; Glenfield, NSW 1993

Table of Sections

• A1 Application
• A2 Construction
• A3 Commentary
• Figure A1 - Javelin Construction
• Return to Guidelines for Interclub Combat
• Go to Addendum B—GUIDELINES FOR PROJECTILE WEAPONS - Victorian Rules

A1 Application

a) This annexure shall be applicable to all organised and non-organised combat and all combat displays involving the use of the NSW pattern missiles, and shall be construed subject to the Constitution, By-Laws and Guidelines for Combat. The NVG pattern missile combat may occur as display combat only at events where these rules are in use and is also to be construed subject to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association.

A2 Construction

a) The Javelin shaft may be pie dowel or bamboo with a minimum diameter of 20nim (3/4 inch) with the ends cut square. The maximum length is 1.8m (6 feet). All spurs or nocks must be removed if using bamboo. The shaft may be bound with fibre-reinforced packaging tape for longevity, but this is not essential.

b) Both front and back ends must have a soft rubber chair foot or stopper firmly affixed. We recommend that the next size smaller foot is used and force-fitted to the shaft (eg: Use a 19mm foot on a 20mm shaft).

c) The head should then be padded and bound as in Figure A1. This should be at least the size of a tennis ball, about 70mm or 2.75 inches diameter. The padding and inner cover may be bound with tape, provided it does not show. The padding may be wool, cotton waste, foam rubber cut to shape, or a similar soft, bulky material. The outer cover should be soft leather or heavy felt, and should be bound with leather thonging or jute or sisal string.

d) The balance point should be no further than 1/3 of the length back from the head so the Javelin does not turn in flight.

A3 Commentary

a) Minimum armour standards apply for all missile combat. See Guidelines for Combat Rule 5 - Protection.

b) Javelins, like other weapons, will be inspected by the marshals before combat; all sharp edges, hooks, spikes, spurs or splinters must be removed. Excessively hard or small heads will not be permitted.

c) Any javelin which cracks in combat should be fully broken to prevent re-use. Javelins which are picked up during combat should be quickly inspected for cracks and splinters by the combatant before being thrown. Any damaged javelin picked up should not be used.

Figure A1: NSW Pattern Javelin Construction