SplatMaster
The SplatMaster (also styled Splatmaster) was an American .68-calibre paintball marker developed for the National Survival Game (NSG) during the mid-1980s. Introduced around 1984–1985, it was among the first commercially successful markers designed specifically for recreational paintball, rather than adapted from forestry or agricultural marking equipment.[1][2]
Developed under the direction of Bob Gurnsey, the SplatMaster featured a lightweight polymer body, horizontal ammunition feed and manually operated rear-plunger cocking mechanism. The underlying design was patented by Robert G. Shepherd in 1985.[3][4]
The marker became widely used at recreational paintball fields and is associated with the early development of stock-class paintball.
The original SplatMaster is distinct from the later JT SplatMaster product range introduced in 2012.[5]
History
[edit]Development
[edit]During the early 1980s, National Survival Game supplied Nelspot 007 marking pistols to its network of recreational paintball fields.
Although the Nelspot had been used in the first recorded organised paintball game in 1981, it had originally been designed for forestry and agricultural marking.
As recreational paintball expanded, NSG sought to develop a purpose-built marker that was inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight and suitable for use by new players.[2][6]
Bob Gurnsey directed the development of the SplatMaster, working with engineer Robert G. Shepherd.
The resulting design used a reinforced polymer body rather than the predominantly metal construction of earlier marking pistols.
According to Gurnsey's recollections in a 1992 interview with Action Pursuit Games, development discussions concerning the polymer construction took place during 1983.[2]
Shepherd filed a patent application for the mechanism on 21 February 1984.
United States Patent 4,531,503, titled Fluid pressure repeating pistol with unitary barrel and hammer assembly, was granted on 30 July 1985.[3]
Introduction
[edit]The SplatMaster entered the paintball market around 1984–1985.
VintageRex records 1984 as its introduction year, while other historical accounts describe commercial introduction during 1985.[1][6]
The marker was initially marketed through National Survival Game's established field network, providing an alternative to the Nelspot 007.
The SplatMaster was subsequently distributed to sporting goods retailers and individual customers.
Its original retail price was approximately US$80, making it considerably less expensive than many competing paintball markers.[1][4]
The marker's simplified construction and comparatively low price contributed to its adoption by recreational players.
National Survival Game registered the SplatMaster name as a trademark for CO2-powered pistols on 30 August 1985.[7]
Production
[edit]The SplatMaster was manufactured using moulded, fibre-reinforced polymer components.
According to historical research published by Daniel Bacci, Gurnsey's Culpepper Plastics Corporation in Arkansas produced polymer components for National Survival Game markers.
The components were subsequently assembled by National Survival Game in New Hampshire.[2]
The SplatMaster continued to be marketed during the later 1980s and remained in use into the 1990s.
Design
[edit]Operating mechanism
[edit]The original SplatMaster was a single-action, manually operated marker.
Unlike conventional pump-action markers, which use a sliding foregrip, the SplatMaster was cocked by pushing a large plunger at the rear of the receiver.
The design incorporated a combined barrel and hammer assembly that moved within the marker's body.
Pushing the rear plunger forward cocked the marker and allowed a paintball to enter the firing position.
Pulling the trigger released the assembly, allowing the barrel to move rearwards and engage the paintball before compressed gas was released to fire it.[3][4]
The mechanism was designed to minimise the number of moving components and simplify operation.
Construction
[edit]The SplatMaster used a two-piece moulded polymer body containing the valve, trigger, barrel and cocking mechanism.
Its principal features included:
- A manually operated rear-plunger cocking system.
- A fixed barrel.
- A horizontal ammunition feed tube.
- An integrated pistol grip and trigger guard.
- A push-button safety.
- A mechanical ball-detent system.
- A 12-gram CO2 cartridge housed inside the grip.
The marker included an integrated sight and was designed for straightforward operation and maintenance.[4]
Ammunition and gas
[edit]The SplatMaster fired .68-calibre paintballs supplied through a horizontal feed tube above the barrel.
The standard magazine accommodated ten paintballs, with an additional paintball held in the firing chamber.
Players used removable ten-round tubes to replenish ammunition.[4]
The marker was powered by a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge fitted inside the pistol grip.
A technical examination published by the Stock-Class Paintball Network in 2002 reported approximately 20 to 30 shots per cartridge, depending on operating conditions.
The original marker did not incorporate a factory velocity adjustment mechanism.[4]
Specifications
[edit]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | National Survival Game |
| Development | Bob Gurnsey and Robert G. Shepherd |
| Introduction | Approximately 1984–1985 |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Calibre | .68 |
| Action | Manual, rear-plunger cocking |
| Valve | SplatMaster proprietary mechanism |
| Body | Reinforced polymer |
| Barrel | Fixed |
| Feed system | Horizontal stock-class tube |
| Capacity | 10-round magazine, plus one chambered |
| Propellant | 12-gram CO2 cartridge |
| Original retail price | Approximately US$80 |
Variants and related markers
[edit]Original production variants
[edit]The SplatMaster was produced in several colours, with green being the most common.
VintageRex also documents brown, grey and woodland camouflage examples.[1]
National Survival Game marketed accessories including holsters, CO2 cartridge belts, ammunition pouches, cleaning equipment and protective goggles.
ICON SplatMaster
[edit]National Survival Game also marketed a version under the ICON name for law enforcement and security training.
The ICON SplatMaster retained the original marker's operating system but used different branding.
VintageRex identifies 1985 as the introduction year for the ICON version and records sales between 1985 and 1988.[8]
National Survival Game filed trademark applications for ICON on 11 April 1986, covering CO2-powered pistols and training services for police, security and military personnel.[7]
SplatMaster Rapide
[edit]In 1988, National Survival Game introduced the SplatMaster Rapide, a new marker incorporating a double-action trigger mechanism and increased ammunition capacity.
Unlike the original SplatMaster, the Rapide did not require the player to manually cock a rear plunger between shots.
The Rapide incorporated a rotating ammunition magazine holding twenty paintballs in four five-round tubes.
A further version, the Rapide Comp, incorporated additional accessories including a shoulder stock, longer barrel and external gas connection.[2][4]
The Rapide was a distinct marker rather than a simple modification of the original SplatMaster.
Role in early paintball
[edit]The SplatMaster was developed at a time when paintball equipment was transitioning from industrial marking pistols to products designed for recreational use.
Its lightweight construction, relatively low price and simplified operating mechanism made it suitable for commercial paintball fields and new players.
The marker was also compatible with the limited-ammunition playing style that subsequently became associated with stock-class paintball.
Unlike later tournament markers, it had no conventional foregrip pump, electronic firing system or high-capacity ammunition loader.
Original SplatMasters remain documented in historical paintball collections, including those maintained by VintageRex and Bacci Paintball.
The SplatMaster is historically significant as an early purpose-built paintball marker and an example of the equipment used during the sport's initial commercial expansion.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- NSG SplatMaster. VintageRex. Historical marker specifications, introduction date, original retail price, colours and accessories.
- RIP Bob Gurnsey, Paintball's Creator, and the NSG Rapide. Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 26 August 2015. Includes Gurnsey's recollections concerning SplatMaster development, polymer manufacturing and National Survival Game production.
- US Patent 4,531,503: Fluid Pressure Repeating Pistol with Unitary Barrel and Hammer Assembly. Robert G. Shepherd. Filed 21 February 1984, granted 30 July 1985.
- Inside the Splatmaster. Stock-Class Paintball Network, Maverick, 5 June 2002. Technical examination of the original marker, including operating mechanism, materials, ammunition capacity and gas system.
- Splat Marks the Spot! JT SplatMaster Hits Shelves Today. PR Newswire, 7 August 2012. Announcement of the later JT SplatMaster product range.
- Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI. Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 31 January 2023. Historical account of National Survival Game equipment and the transition from Nelspot markers to the SplatMaster.
- National Survival Game, Inc. Trademarks. Justia Trademarks. Historical trademark applications for SplatMaster, ICON and Rapide.
- ICON SplatMaster. VintageRex. Historical listing of the law enforcement training variant.