Armson
Armson was a South African paintball equipment manufacturer and brand known for producing pump-action and semi-automatic paintball markers, spiral-rifled barrels and optical sights. Its products included the Armson Rifle, Armson Semi and the Armson Pro-Series and Stealth barrels.[1][2]
The company maintained a long-standing relationship with the American manufacturer and distributor Pro-Team Products, which helped develop and distribute Armson equipment internationally. In 2004, Armson Ltd was acquired by Pro-Team's associated Armson USA operation, which transferred manufacturing equipment to the United States.[3]
History
[edit]South African origins
[edit]Armson developed paintball equipment in South Africa during the early 1990s. Its original product range included pump-action markers and precision-machined barrels.
The company's Armson Pro-Series barrel was introduced in 1990. It used a proprietary internal rifling process known as Polygon Progressive Rifling, together with aluminium construction and barrel ventilation.[4]
Armson established a commercial relationship with Pro-Team Products in the United States, which imported and distributed its equipment.
According to historical information preserved by VintageRex, this relationship developed from Pro-Team's early involvement in importing South African paintball equipment and subsequently expanded into collaborative product design.[5]
Paintball markers
[edit]Armson manufactured the Armson Rifle, a .68-calibre pump-action marker using a Nelson-style operating system.
VintageRex dates the model to 1991 and documents its direct-feed configuration, removable barrel and constant-air operation.[1]
During the early 1990s, Armson and Pro-Team Products began developing a semi-automatic marker intended to provide an alternative to existing designs.
Development of the Armson Semi began in 1993. The design incorporated a blow-forward operating system based on technology licensed from Airgun Designs. Unlike the regulated Automag, the Armson design controlled its firing characteristics through the volume of its air chamber.[2][5]
The marker was released in late 1996.
Contemporary reporting from the 1996 NPPL World Cup documented Pro-Team Products exhibiting the Armson Semi alongside its Micromag range. The marker featured a blow-forward bolt, an expansion chamber incorporated into the grip, an Armson Pro-Series barrel and a sight rail.[6]
Acquisition by Pro-Team Products
[edit]On 20 September 2004, Pro-Team Products announced that it had completed the purchase of Armson Ltd, described as its long-standing sister company based in England.
The announcement stated that Armson's manufacturing facilities would be transferred to the United States, with production of its rifled barrels and optical sights expected to resume later that year.[3]
On 4 October 2004, Pro-Team confirmed that a shipping container containing Armson's factory equipment had arrived. The company also referred to remaining stocks of Armson Semi and Assassin pump markers.[3]
Armson USA subsequently confirmed the acquisition on 15 October 2004, describing Armson Ltd as a South African and British manufacturer.[7]
The Armson brand continued to be used for paintball barrels and sighting equipment following the acquisition.
Paintball markers
[edit]The VintageRex historical paintball equipment database lists two principal models under Armson.[8]
| Marker | Documented period | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armson Rifle | 1991 | Pump-action | .68-calibre Nelson-style marker featuring direct feed, a removable barrel and constant-air operation. |
| Armson Semi | Developed from 1993; released in 1996 | Mechanical semi-automatic | .68-calibre blow-forward marker featuring a volume-based firing system and technology licensed from Airgun Designs. |
VintageRex also lists an Armson Pump and Armson Semi-Auto under Pro-Team Products. The Semi-Auto entry describes the same joint development project as the Armson Semi, while the precise relationship between the Armson Rifle, Armson Pump and later Assassin pump models requires further documentation.[5][9]
Armson Rifle
[edit]The Armson Rifle was a pump-action marker based on the Nelson operating system.
VintageRex records the following specifications:[1]
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Calibre | .68 |
| Action | Pump-action |
| Valve system | Nelson |
| Feed system | Direct feed |
| Barrel | Removable |
| Gas source | Constant air |
The marker formed part of Armson's early product range before the company developed its semi-automatic model.
Armson Semi
[edit]The Armson Semi was a mechanically operated semi-automatic marker developed jointly by Armson and Pro-Team Products.
Its design incorporated several features described in historical technical material preserved by VintageRex:[2][5]
- Blow-forward operating system based on licensed Airgun Designs technology.
- Unregulated, volume-based firing arrangement.
- Ambidextrous power-feed configuration.
- Barrel-retaining collet system.
- Expansion chamber integrated into the grip.
- Dual-port bottom-line air adaptor.
- Spring-arm paintball detent.
- Centre-feed ball-drop arrangement.
The marker had an advertised manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$595.[2]
Barrels and accessories
[edit]Pro-Series barrels
[edit]Armson's Pro-Series barrels were introduced in 1990 and used a proprietary rifling process described by the manufacturer as Polygon Progressive Rifling.
The barrels were manufactured using 6061-T6 aluminium alloy and incorporated internal rifling and a ventilation system.
Armson marketed the design as a means of improving paintball accuracy, although claims of superior performance should be distinguished from independently established testing results.[4]
The barrels were distributed for several contemporary markers, including the Line SI Bushmaster and PMI VM-68.
A review published by the Stock-Class Paintball Network in June 2005 documented the continued availability of Armson barrels following the acquisition by Pro-Team Products.[10]
Stealth barrels
[edit]The Armson Stealth was a later development of the company's rifled barrel range.
It incorporated a revised porting arrangement marketed as Microporting, intended to reduce firing noise while venting propellant gas.
The range was subsequently expanded to include the SSR Stealth, a two-piece barrel design incorporating stepped rifling.[4]
Optical sights
[edit]Armson also manufactured optical sighting equipment, including its O.E.G. (Occluded Eye Gunsight) and Pro-Dot systems.
These products were marketed for use with paintball markers and other sporting equipment.
Following the 2004 acquisition, Armson USA continued manufacturing and distributing optical sighting products under the Armson name.[7]
Later operations
[edit]Following the acquisition, Pro-Team Products continued offering Armson-branded paintball equipment.
Its product catalogue included Pro-Series, Stealth and SSR barrels, as well as optical sights and other accessories.[4]
Armson USA subsequently operated from locations in Florida and Maine, continuing the Armson sighting-equipment business. Pro-Team's catalogue also retained Armson products.[3][7]
The available records do not establish a specific final production date for Armson-branded paintball markers.
See also
[edit]- Armson Rifle
- Armson Semi
- Pro-Team Products
- Airgun Designs
- Micromag
- List of vintage paintball markers and equipment
- History of paintball equipment
References
[edit]- VintageRex, "Armson Rifle", historical marker record.
- VintageRex, "Armson Semi", historical marker record.
- Pro-Team Products, "News & Updates", announcements dated 20 September and 4 October 2004.
- Pro-Team Products, "Armson Barrels", manufacturer product descriptions and history.
- VintageRex, "Armson Semi", extended historical and technical description.
- WARPIG, "NPPL 1996 World Cup: Vendors", October 1996.
- Armson USA, "News and Updates", acquisition announcement dated 15 October 2004.
- VintageRex, "Armson", manufacturer catalogue.
- VintageRex, "Pro Team Products: Armson Pump", historical marker record.
- Stock-Class Paintball Network, "Armson LTD. Barrel Review", 6 June 2005.