[MR] Authenticity is Good, no Joke (long)

[David W. James]

On Wednesday, October 29, 2003, at 03:14  PM, David Wendelken wrote:
> As for stainless steel, I've seen documentation that some mail was
> tin-coated to prevent rust.
> Just pretend it's a tin coating. :)

	I have seen one instance of that (at a Museum in Philadelphia back in 
'89), and the tinning appeared to be more to cover the riveting than 
any other reason.  It worked fine for that; the sample I got to handle 
was amazingly supple.  Of course, the rings were only about 1/4 inch in 
diameter, and the gage of the wire vastly smaller than what you find in 
use in the SCA.

	While it didn't have any rust on it, it also didn't look like 
stainless steel.

> I've included the guidelines from the Atlantian Earl Marshal's page for
> the edification of those who have not read it:
> If you come away from reading this with a feeling that doing this would
> be "too hard, too expensive, or too time-consuming" then consider
> yourself "arts-challenged" and ask for help!

> ----------------------------------------
> General:

> 1. The fighter should appear as a reasonable example of a warrior from
> the SCA's period of study (600 to 1600 A.D., per Corpora)to the casual
> observer.

	Not a good start.  Please tell me, *where* in Corpora does it set an 
early cut-off date?  I didn't recall one, and a quick search of the 
2003 revision does not turn up any reference occurrences of '600' other 
than one instance as part of 1600.

	I note that, further down, it says that if your kit is found to be 
'unacceptably modern' at inspection you will be 'asked to sit out'.  
"Asked to sit out" looks like the final decision is in the hands of the 
person with the equipment.


> Covering:
>
> 1. A modern (e.g. plastic materials, modern sports equipment) component
> may be used if it is hidden from view, by covering it with opaque
> covering materials not made of plastic, including but not strictly
> limited to; leather, metal, textiles with a period appearance and, 
> where
> appropriate, stone or wood. Tapes, paints, stains, dyes, foils, films,
> transparent or translucent materials and any other inadequate or
> insubstantial coverings shall not be deemed an acceptable covering
> material.

	One question; what are we supposed to cover our weapons with?  I see 
that tape is specifically listed as unacceptable.  Most folks use duct 
tape (I've been partial to the very silvery looking stuff, as opposed 
to the usual grey), but since, by the letter (and spirit) of this law, 
we are now forbidden to do so...

	I am glad to see that there are exceptions listed, though I do wonder 
how one goes about disguising eyeglasses without compromising their 
safety.

David/Kwellend-Njal