[MR] Crossbow stock rule interpretation

[Siegfried]

What Jonathas said.  I'll also add the following points that were taken
into consideration at the time, and the 'gist' of the complaints based
upon experiences at Pennsic/etc.

1) Modern style crossbows CAN have a competitive advantage over
period-stocked bows.  There are reasons that the modern rifle stock /
air-rifle stock has evolved.  It creates a very solid/stable firing
platform.  Allowing people to use these creates an unfair advantage.
(IE:  This is the same as disallowing modern 'pistol/orthopeadic' grips
on the rapier field).
   This is not the case (or not nearly as much so) for bows.  Even the
most modern of recurve style, still has it's roots in period designs.
(Yes, even the deeply curved recurves with sculptured grips).  And with
these bows, the act of shooting them, how you hold them, etc.  Is mostly
unchanged from shooting bows from period.

2) To Jonathas' cost issue.  The bigger issue on this.  Is that you
began to have people buying $3000 modern target crossbows.  Highly
machined to have same-hole accuracy at 100 yards with unfletched bolts.
 This does not represent any form of 'period archery'.  The simple act
of disallowing modern stocks, disallows these bows.   Yes, it is
possible to buy one of these bows, remove the guts, and reassemble it
into period stock.  I've seen people who have done this to varying
degrees of 'visual success'.  But the mere process of doing this,
destroys it's extreme accuracy anyway, which is part of the 'whole
package' setup.

In the end, the point is that we are supposed to be putting on a
'primitive archery' atmosphere.

Similar to seeing tennis shoes on the heavy field, jarring someone out
of that mindset.

Seeing a modern stocked crossbow on the archery range, does the same for
people.  The same mentally isn't the same for a modern recurve, which
tends to still 'feel' primitive in people's minds.

In Service, and reliving some old memories,
Siegfried


On 4/27/11 8:38 AM, Jonathas wrote:
> There are a couple reasons.  At the time the crossbow rule was put in place
> there were no crossbows in use in Atlantia that would have been failed due
> to the new "no modern" rule.  So this made the crossbow rule painless to
> implement and was more of a preventative measure.  At the same time the
> crossbow rule was put in place the "Period Handbow" class was created which
> essentially creates the same rule set for the handbows.  The intent was to
> encourage people to shoot the period styles, but not to chase off the bows
> that most people start with, the modern flat limb recurve.  There were and
> are many many of the modern handbows in use, simply forcing them to go away
> was not an option.
> 
> Also there was the cost consideration.  A typical period crossbow can be
> bought for less then a modern one, or made for very little with little
> skill, yet still shoot well (my first home made crossbow is certainly a
> testimate to that!).  Where period style bows are much harder to find and
> tend to be more expensive then a modern recurve.
> 
> Jonathas
> 
> 
> On Wed, Apr 27, 2011 at 8:22 AM, Jeff Harold <aleseller1745 at yahoo.com>wrote:
> 
>> Not an attempt to "stir the pot" and create animosity, but for
>> clarification of
>> existing rules, I would like to know the reasoning behind this, when
>> blatantly
>> modern recurves and longbows are allowed.  Granted, skeletonized risers
>> need to
>> have their holes covered for the appearance of a solid riser, but modern is
>> modern.  Fiberglass bows or modern bows with fiberglass laminates are also
>> blatantly non-period, but are legal for use.
>>
>> Questioningly,
>>
>> Geoffrey of Doune
>> TA, TAM
>> Highland Foorde
>>
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