Editing Line SI Bushmaster (section)

== History ==

=== Development ===

The Bushmaster developed from early modifications to the [[Nelspot 007]], one of the first markers used in organised paintball.

Ross Alexander's businesses, Skirmish and Line SI, produced paintball equipment and conversion components during the mid-1980s.

These included replacement barrels and pump-action systems intended to improve the performance and handling of the original Nelspot.

Jerry Dobbins was involved in designing the Bushmaster pump system.[3]

VintageRex catalogues the original Line SI Bushmaster as a 1987 marker, with contemporary advertisements preserved from the September 1988 edition of ''Action Pursuit Games''.[2]

The manufacturer's 1989 instruction manual identified the Bushmaster as a tournament-oriented paintball marker and documented both standard and deluxe models.[1]

=== Tournament adoption ===

The Bushmaster became associated with competitive paintball during the late 1980s.

In a 1994 interview with ''Australian Paintballer'', Andy Greenwell, captain of [[Navarone]], recalled that his team had used Bushmasters throughout much of the period from 1987 to 1990.

Greenwell described the team's sponsorship relationship with Line SI and its use of modified Nelson components to improve marker performance.[4]

Navarone subsequently appeared in Line SI advertising under the slogan ''The Guns of Navarone''.

The manufacturer's advertising featured the team's customised Bushmaster markers, documenting the relationship between equipment development and professional tournament sponsorship.[7]

The Northern California [[Ironmen]] also used Line SI Bushmasters during the late 1980s.

Historical equipment records include an example used by Ironmen player Rick Cendejas around 1988, incorporating a modified diagonal pump handle.[5]

=== Later development ===

Line SI continued producing Bushmaster variants and accessories during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The manufacturer offered different barrel configurations, grip assemblies, stocks and air-source arrangements.

The Bushmaster also became a platform for aftermarket modifications by paintball equipment businesses and individual airsmiths.

In the 1994 Australian Paintballer interview, Andy Greenwell stated that Line SI was no longer operating by that time.[4]

The Bushmaster name was subsequently used by Indian Creek Designs for its electronic Bushmaster 2000, introduced in 1999.

Although the later marker shared the Bushmaster name, it used a different operating system and was not a continuation of the original pump-action design.[6]