BOA
BOA (Barrels of America) was an American manufacturer of aftermarket paintball barrels, active during the 1990s and early 2000s. Owned by Dale Hilton, the company specialised in custom barrels for paintball markers, including the Automag, WGP Autococker and Montneel Designs Z-series. Its products included the Snakebite and Concealer barrels, which were known for their plated brass construction and distinctive designs.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]BOA was active during the 1990s, producing custom barrels for a range of pump-action and semi-automatic paintball markers.
At the 1996 NPPL World Cup in Orlando, Florida, company representative Tom Greening exhibited BOA's full range of custom barrels. Contemporary WARPIG reporting identified Greening as a participant in the rec.sport.paintball online community.[1]
In December 1997, BOA exhibited its products at the Area 51 scenario paintball event at Wayne's World in Ocala, Florida. WARPIG reporter Bill Mills identified Dale Hilton as the company's owner.[2]
The company supported competitive paintball, including sponsorship of the 1998 Rocky Mountain Championship Series.[4]
BOA also manufactured custom barrels for less common paintball markers. A September 2001 discussion on the alt.sport.paintball newsgroup identified the company as a supplier of custom barrels for the Brass Eagle Tigershark and other markers.[5]
By April 2004, paintball collectors were referring to BOA as a defunct manufacturer.[6] The precise date production ceased has not been established.
Products
[edit]BOA manufactured aftermarket paintball barrels in different lengths, finishes and configurations.
Many examples used brass construction with a plated exterior. Some barrels also received a black textured finish. Historical accounts describe considerable hand-finishing during manufacture.[3][7]
Snakebite
[edit]The Snakebite was among BOA's best-known barrel designs.
Surviving examples have been documented for the Automag, Autococker, Kingman Spyder and other paintball markers.[7]
The Snakebite was commonly manufactured from plated brass and was available in different finishes, including polished metal and black wrinkle coating.[7]
Concealer
[edit]The Concealer was a barrel incorporating a ported muzzle section surrounded by an external sleeve.
The design was marketed as a quieter alternative to conventional barrels, with its enclosed porting intended to reduce the report of a firing paintball marker.[3][8]
A March 1996 technical guide to the Montneel Z-series specifically documented the Concealer as an available aftermarket barrel.[3]
Other barrels
[edit]Historical collector records identify additional BOA barrel models, including the Express and Constrictor.[7][8]
BOA also supplied custom barrels for markers with less common barrel mounting arrangements.
In March 1996, the Montneel Mega-Z technical guide recommended BOA barrels for their compatibility with the marker's distinctive barrel retention mechanism.
The guide documented chromed BOA barrels available with straight rifling, muzzle brakes and the Concealer configuration. Montneel marketed these barrels through its dealer network.[3]
References
[edit]- WARPIG - 1996 NPPL World Cup, Vendors, October 1996.
- WARPIG - Area 51, by Bill Mills, December 1997.
- WARPIG - The Z FAQ, by Nick Brassard, version 1.1, 1 March 1996.
- WARPIG - Rocky Mountain Championship Series, 1998 tournament coverage and sponsor list.
- alt.sport.paintball - PaintBall Barrels, contemporary discussion, September 2001.
- Automags.org - AGD Relic: Centennial Minimag #900, 24 April 2004.
- M. Carter Brown - Post a Picture of Your Barrel Collection, historical BOA barrel photographs and model identifications.
- Automags.org - BOA Barrel on eBay, collector discussion, February–March 2007.