Admin: Created article on the Line SI Bushmaster pump-action marker, covering its late-1980s origins, Nelson-style mechanism, bore-drop feed, auto-trigger, standard and Deluxe models, Pointman variant, tournament use by Navarone and the Ironmen, and distinction from the later ICD Bushmaster 2000.

2026-10-21T18:26:45Z

Created article on the Line SI Bushmaster pump-action marker, covering its late-1980s origins, Nelson-style mechanism, bore-drop feed, auto-trigger, standard and Deluxe models, Pointman variant, tournament use by Navarone and the Ironmen, and distinction from the later ICD Bushmaster 2000.

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{{Short description|American pump-action paintball marker introduced in the 1980s}}

The '''Line SI Bushmaster''', also marketed as the '''Bushmaster SI''', was an American pump-action [[paintball marker]] developed during the 1980s by [[Line SI]], a paintball equipment company associated with Skirmish, Inc. and entrepreneur Ross Alexander. Designed for competitive paintball, the Bushmaster used a Nelson-style operating system and incorporated a direct-feed, bore-drop loading mechanism.[1][2][3]

The Bushmaster became widely used in early tournament paintball and was associated with teams including the [[Ironmen]] and [[Navarone]]. The range included the original Bushmaster, Bushmaster Deluxe and Bushmaster Pointman.[2][4][5]

The original mechanical Bushmaster is distinct from the later electronic [[ICD Bushmaster 2000]], developed by [[Indian Creek Designs]].[6]

== 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]

== Design and operation ==

The Line SI Bushmaster is a manually operated pump-action paintball marker based on the Nelson valve system.

The marker uses a sliding pump mechanism to cock the internal hammer and chamber a paintball before firing.

Its principal components were manufactured from machined aluminium.[1]

=== Bore-drop direct feed ===

One of the Bushmaster's principal features was its bore-drop direct-feed system.

Unlike earlier breech-drop designs, which allowed paintballs to enter a loading chamber behind the barrel, the Bushmaster's mechanism positioned paintballs directly into the barrel bore.

The manufacturer's manual described this arrangement as reducing the possibility of paintballs being pinched or cut by the loading mechanism.[1]

=== Auto-trigger ===

The Bushmaster incorporated an automatic trigger mechanism, commonly called an auto-trigger.

This allowed the operator to hold the trigger while cycling the pump, firing the marker each time the pump completed its forward movement.

The feature was intended to increase the achievable rate of fire during tournament play.[1]

=== Other features ===

Documented Bushmaster features included:

* Nelson-style valve system.
* Dual pump-action bars.
* Adjustable hammer assembly.
* Delrin bolt.
* Mechanical trigger safety.
* Front blade and adjustable rear sights.
* Optional constant-air operation.
* Alternative grip configurations.
* Different barrel lengths.

The manufacturer's manual also documented a lever-operated quick-change system for replacing 12-gram CO2 cartridges.[1]

== Models ==

Several versions of the Bushmaster were produced.

{| class="wikitable"
! Model
! Documented year
! Features
|-
| Bushmaster
| 1987
| Original pump-action model with Nelson valve system, direct feed and fixed barrel.
|-
| Bushmaster Deluxe
| 1988
| Updated configuration with removable barrel and support for 12-gram CO2 cartridges or constant air.
|-
| Bushmaster Pointman
| 1989
| Compact version of the Deluxe featuring a shorter barrel and pump assembly.
|}

The years reflect those recorded by the VintageRex historical marker archive and should not be interpreted as independently confirmed first production dates.[2][8][9]

=== Bushmaster Deluxe ===

The Bushmaster Deluxe offered additional flexibility compared with the original model.

Its removable barrel allowed different barrel configurations and simplified certain maintenance operations.

The model supported both 12-gram CO2 cartridges and larger constant-air systems.[8]

=== Bushmaster Pointman ===

The Bushmaster Pointman was a compact version of the Deluxe intended for players operating in forward positions.

The Pointman used a shortened barrel and pump assembly to reduce the marker's overall length.

The model retained the Nelson-style operating mechanism and direct-feed system.[9]

== Historical significance ==

The Line SI Bushmaster represents an early stage in the development of dedicated tournament paintball markers.

Its design incorporated modifications that had previously been performed on Nelspot markers, including pump-action operation, improved feeding and alternative air-source arrangements.

The Bushmaster's association with Navarone and the Ironmen placed it among the markers used in American tournament paintball before semi-automatic equipment became widespread.[4][5]

Surviving examples, contemporary advertisements and technical documentation are preserved in historical equipment collections, including VintageRex and Paintball History.[2][10]

== See also ==

* [[Line SI]]
* [[Nelspot 007]]
* [[Indian Creek Designs]]
* [[ICD Bushmaster 2000]]
* [[WGP Sniper]]
* [[CCI Phantom]]
* [[Carter Machine]]
* [[History of paintball markers]]

== References ==

# [https://pbmanuals.com/downloads/222_Indian_Creek_Designs_Indian_Creek_Designs_Bushmaster_SI_Manual_ENG.pdf Line SI/Skirmish, Inc. – Bushmaster SI Instruction Manual]. Copyright 1989. Original manufacturer documentation covering design, operation and maintenance.
# [https://vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewmarker&man=Line+SI&marker=Bushmaster VintageRex – Line SI Bushmaster]. Historical equipment listing identifying the 1987 model, technical specifications and contemporary advertisements.
# [https://paintballhistory.com/pioneering-the-sport-of-paintball-the-history-of-pmi-with-jeff-perlmutter/ Paintball History – Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI with Jeff Perlmutter]. 31 January 2023. Historical discussion of Ross Alexander, Skirmish, Line SI and Jerry Dobbins.
# [https://paintmagazine.com/paintball-history/andy-greenwell-interview-1994/ Paint – Andy Greenwell Interview (1994)]. Originally published in Australian Paintballer, 1994. Firsthand account of Navarone's use of Bushmasters and Line SI sponsorship.
# [https://paintballhistory.com/bushmaster/ Paintball History – Bushmaster Archive]. Historical equipment articles, including Rick Cendejas' Ironmen Bushmaster.
# [https://paintmagazine.com/marker-of-the-day/icd-bushmaster-2000/ Paint – ICD Bushmaster 2000]. Retrospective covering the 1999 electronic marker and its relationship to the earlier Bushmaster name.
# [https://paintballhistory.com/the-guns-of-navarone-and-the-round-trigger-guard-line-si-frames/ Paintball History – The Guns of Navarone and the Round Trigger Guard Line SI Frames]. Historical advertising and equipment documentation.
# [https://www.vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewmarker&man=Line+SI&marker=Bushmaster+Deluxe VintageRex – Bushmaster Deluxe]. Historical marker specifications and advertisement scans.
# [https://vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewmarker&man=Line+SI&marker=Bushmaster+Pointman VintageRex – Bushmaster Pointman]. Historical specifications and contemporary advertising.
# [https://paintballhistory.com/hard-anodized-pre-1990-line-si-bushmaster/ Paintball History – Hard Anodized Pre-1990 Line SI Bushmaster]. 8 March 2017. Photographic documentation of an original Bushmaster.

== External links ==

* [https://vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewmarker&man=Line+SI&marker=Bushmaster VintageRex – Bushmaster photographs and advertising]
* [https://paintballhistory.com/bushmaster/ Paintball History – Bushmaster historical archive]
* [https://pbmanuals.com/downloads/222_Indian_Creek_Designs_Indian_Creek_Designs_Bushmaster_SI_Manual_ENG.pdf Original Bushmaster SI instruction manual]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]

Line SI Bushmaster - Revision history

Admin: Created article on the Line SI Bushmaster pump-action marker, covering its late-1980s origins, Nelson-style mechanism, bore-drop feed, auto-trigger, standard and Deluxe models, Pointman variant, tournament use by Navarone and the Ironmen, and distinction from the later ICD Bushmaster 2000.