Keith,
In my experience, the fencing masks being used today offer a little more protection that the straight mesh helmets that seem to have been in vogue early in the history of the DB. If this seems contrary to the spirit of DBMA, the hand protection seems to be inversely proportioned to the head protection. I fight in a pair of leather work gloves that I purchased at a hardware store. As far as gloves go, pick something lighter than hockey gloves. Kaju has posted many fine links for you to explore for gear.