So you want to be a combat archer, or engineer huh…
Northstar archery is a great resource for bolts etc…
http://www.northstararchery.com/store/do/productlist/10
You can source your own materials, and use this as a reference as to what to buy. I bought my Baldar blunts from them though. Their customer service is great, and it’s always good to support people who support the SCA.
If you do use Baldar blunts, one thing you can do is ‘honeycomb’ your quiver with flourescent lamp tube covers (plain simple plastic tubes) cut to a length (eg: 10″). This can help the bolts or arrows stay more separated, thus easier to draw while in the heat of combat.
Using these bags (http://www.harborfreight.com/round-canvas-bag-94320.html) are a great, quick start for a hip quiver. And can be adapted for either arrows (you need to be a little more creative) or bolts.
SCA Combat Archery is a good FB Group to join. There are many helpful, if not verbose, friends there.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/95468199155/
Please take the time to read the Marshals Handbook
(Combat Archery):
http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/marshal_handbook.pdf (Sections III.D., VII.F-G., XV.D.)
http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/combat/c_archery/
(Siege Related)
http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/marshal_handbook.pdf (Section VIII)
http://www.sca.org/officers/marshal/docs/siege/siege_engines_handbook.pdf
Study it, know it, love it, this is your bible. Everything you need to know about armor minimums, safe distances, legal shots etc is here.
For getting ready for war I would suggest getting just as armored as you would for rattan combat with the exception of the gauntlets (unless you can get well articulated full gauntlets). But armor is a really big subject. Do you go for cheap to get you on the field, or do you invest the time and money to get armor that fits your persona? Pinterest is a great starting point. (eg: https://www.pinterest.com/theakki/sca-~-armor-craft/). You can make a full set of armor out plastic garbage barrels (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpkBKJLjEvI) the lighting and sound isnt the best, but you’ll get the idea.
I would suggest crossbow for combat for several reasons, but use what you are comfortable with. For crossbow I would also suggest a fiberglass prod. But either steel, aluminum, or fiberglass are perfectly suitable and safe.
There are only two people I would get crossbows from in Atlantia, That is their Excellencies Mors of Stierbach, and Siegfried (http://crossbows.biz/). But talk to people in your Barony or Community, Im sure there are makers that people know and trust.
Thats the shorts of it! If you have suggestions or edits, please let us know!