You are wrong about a great many things having to do with that rule. It was, and is, a safety rule. Not at all to 'level the playing field'. NOT AT ALL. It's because they were so dangerous that sensible people didn't want to be on the same range with them. That's not my opinion. It's plain fact.

I was an officer and often served as tournament director for our club in those days. I don't know where you get YOUR information but I have first hand knowledge of the time.