Artemisia Missile Combat

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Siloflex Arrows and Bolts

Siloflex arrows (and bolts, which are just shortened versions of Siloflex arrows) are built using 100 psi Siloflex or an approved equivalent with a 1-inch minimum inner diameter and attaching an approved blunt.  Siloflex arrows have a maximum length (bottom of nock to just behind the blunt) of 28 inches.  They can be used with light bows, heavy bows, or crossbows.

160psi Siloflex is NOT allowed for use as an arrow shaft.

Siloflex arrows must be inspected by a marshal between scenarios.  If the scenario allows it, archers may glean siloflex arrows from the battlefield and self-inspect them before re-using them in that scenario.

For siloflex arrows, the blunt is typically taped red, and the rest of the tube is left uncovered and black (people often use black tape behind the blunt and at the nock).  That particular color scheme is required in some kingdoms, but here we just care that the tube is a solid color, and the blunt is a solid contrasting color.  Any color bands for identification should be placed directly behind the blunt.  You may not use yellow on tube arrows (except for the banding) so as not to confuse them with siege munitions.

The nock end of the siloflex must be covered to keep dirt out of the tube (tape is sufficient for this).

You are also required to have your SCA name, kingdom, and year/month of construction written on your arrows.  Computer-printed return address labels work well for this, but be sure to cover the label with a wrap of clear packing tape to keep it readable.

Click here for a siloflex arrow/bolt construction page that uses rubber stopper / foam  blunts.

The below figure illustrates the siloflex arrow configurations that are currently allowed by the Kingdom of Artemisia.  Each component is explained in greater detail below. 

 

Possible Siloflex Arrow Variations Allowed in Artemisia

 

 

componant name

description
fletching Fletching is optional.  Fletches must be of feathers or of a soft, flexible material such as plastic vanes, foam, leather or duct tape, and rounded so as not to have sharp corners. They can stick out a maximum of 1/2" from the shaft.
tennis ball Using a strong cord of 1/8" or less diameter, tie the tennis ball/rubber stopper to the Siloflex tube by crossing two pieces of cord through the Siloflex tube, underneath the base of the blunt and over the blunt. Be sure that the knots are located on the side of the blunt and not at the tip. Securely tape the blunt to the tube using fiber-reinforced tape. Be sure that the cords are securely taped to the blunt to prevent slippage. These cords will prevent the blunt from being torn loose when the arrow strikes a hard surface.
rubber stopper / foam Siloflex Combat Arrows and bolts can constructed by using 100 psi Siloflex or an approved equivalent with a 1" minimum inner diameter and attaching a Rubber stopper (size 6.5) with a minimum of a one inch of resilient padding added on top, sometimes called 'omarod' blunts  (SCA standards currently call for 1/2" of padding, but Artemisia requires a full inch).

It is strongly recommended that you use a stopper with a hole in the center or drill a ¼” hole in the exact center of the rubber stopper. The stopper must be white or off-white in color. Other colored stoppers are not allowed (for example, the black stoppers are very rigid and hit too hard). 

Using a strong cord of 1/8" or less diameter, tie the rubber stopper to the Siloflex tube by crossing two pieces of cord through the Siloflex tube, underneath the base of the blunt and over the blunt. Be sure that the knots are located on the side of the blunt and not at the tip. Securely tape the blunt to the tube using fiber-reinforced tape. Be sure that the cords are securely taped to the blunt to prevent slippage. These cords will prevent the blunt from being torn loose when the arrow strikes a hard surface.

siloflex You can use an extra piece of siloflex to reinforce the nock end, if you wish.  If you cut a nock in the back of the siloflex, it may not be more than 1/2" in depth.  The back end the the tube must be covered to keep dirt out.  Tape is sufficient for this.
  (nothing) You can use the unreinforced end of the siloflex as the nock, if you wish.  If you cut a nock in the back of the siloflex, it may not be more than 1/2" in depth.  The back end the the tube must be covered to keep dirt out.  Tape is sufficient for this.  Empty film canisters slipped over the nock and taped on work really well for this.