History of paintball equipment

The history of paintball equipment covers the development of paintball markers, ammunition, protective equipment, loading systems and compressed-gas technology used in paintball since the sport's establishment in 1981. Early players relied on industrial marking pistols, limited-capacity ammunition tubes and disposable carbon dioxide cartridges. Subsequent decades saw the introduction of purpose-built markers, semiautomatic firing systems, electronic controls and equipment designed for specialised forms of competition.[1][2]

The development of paintball equipment was closely associated with changes in the sport, particularly the growth of commercial playing fields during the 1980s, professional tournament competition during the 1990s and speedball and X-Ball competition during the 2000s.

Early marking equipment (1970s–1981)

The earliest equipment used in organised paintball was not originally manufactured for recreational sport.

The Nel-Spot 007 was a .68-calibre marking pistol produced for the Nelson Paint Company, intended for marking trees, livestock and other objects.

It used disposable 12-gram carbon dioxide (CO₂) cartridges and required manual cocking between shots.

The Nel-Spot 007 was used during the first recorded organised paintball game, held in New Hampshire, United States, on 27 June 1981.[1]

The first players used equipment derived from industrial marking applications, with limited ammunition capacity and comparatively basic protective equipment.

As the activity developed into the National Survival Game, specialist suppliers began adapting and manufacturing equipment specifically for recreational paintball.

Purpose-built markers (1980s)

SplatMaster

One of the earliest purpose-built paintball markers was the SplatMaster, developed for National Survival Game during the mid-1980s.

The SplatMaster used a lightweight moulded polymer body, a horizontal paintball feed tube and a manually operated rear-plunger cocking system.

Its development involved National Survival Game founder Bob Gurnsey and engineer Robert G. Shepherd.

Shepherd filed a patent application for the marker's operating mechanism in February 1984, with the patent granted in July 1985.[3]

The SplatMaster provided a relatively inexpensive alternative to the metal-bodied marking pistols previously used at recreational fields.

Sheridan markers

Sheridan became another important early equipment manufacturer through its relationship with Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI).

During the early 1980s, PMI commissioned Sheridan to manufacture a .68-calibre marking pistol known as the PG.

The design subsequently developed into the pump-action PGP.

Sheridan also manufactured rifle-style markers, including the PMI-1 and PMI-2, and the KP-series.

The company's stacked-tube valve and hammer arrangement influenced several subsequent marker designs.[4]

Pump-action development

During the 1980s, manufacturers developed paintball markers with improved manual cocking systems, larger ammunition supplies and more convenient gas arrangements.

The WGP Sniper, developed by Bud Orr of Worr Game Products, became one of the prominent pump-action tournament markers of the period.

Other manufacturers and specialist workshops developed modifications and accessories for Sheridan and Nelson-based markers.

These included aftermarket barrels, alternative feeding systems, gas adapters and performance modifications.

The development of specialised pump markers reflected the transition from recreational marking equipment towards products intended for organised competition.

Semiautomatic markers (late 1980s–1990s)

The introduction of semiautomatic paintball markers reduced the need for players to manually recock equipment between shots.

Tippmann developed early semiautomatic and selective-fire markers, including the SMG series and later Pro-Am and Pro-Lite models.

Other manufacturers introduced competing designs using blowback, blow-forward and pneumatically controlled operating mechanisms.

Autococker

The Autococker was developed by Worr Game Products from the earlier WGP Sniper pump-action marker.

The design used a pneumatic cocking mechanism to automate the loading and recocking sequence.

During the early 1990s, the Autococker became widely used in professional tournament paintball.

It also supported a substantial aftermarket industry producing barrels, regulators, bolts, pneumatic components and custom-machined bodies.

Manufacturers and specialist workshops associated with Autococker development included Belsales, Shocktech, Planet Eclipse, DYE Paintball and Palmer's Pursuit Shop.

Automag

The Automag, developed by Tom Kaye of Airgun Designs, was introduced in 1990.

Unlike conventional hammer-operated blowback markers, the Automag used a blow-forward operating system and integrated pressure regulation.

The Automag and Autococker became two prominent semiautomatic marker platforms during the 1990s.

Both supported extensive customisation and aftermarket equipment development.

Electronic markers (1990s–2000s)

The introduction of electronic firing controls marked a further development in competitive paintball equipment.

During the mid-1990s, manufacturers began introducing commercial electropneumatic markers.

The Smart Parts Shocker, developed initially by PneuVentures, and the WDP Angel were among the early commercial designs.

Their systems used electronic switches and solenoid-controlled pneumatic mechanisms to operate the markers.[5]

Electronic markers allowed manufacturers to develop lighter trigger mechanisms, programmable firing modes and more consistent firing sequences.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, electronic designs became increasingly prominent in professional tournament competition.

Other notable products included the Smart Parts Impulse, Dye Matrix, Eclipse Ego and electronic Autococker conversions.

The development of tournament rules governing rate of fire and firing modes followed the increasing capabilities of electronic equipment.

Ammunition and feeding systems

Paintballs

Early paintball ammunition developed from marking projectiles manufactured for agricultural and industrial use.

As recreational paintball expanded, manufacturers began producing paintballs intended specifically for organised games.

Pursuit Marketing Inc. established a relationship with R.P. Scherer, a specialist encapsulation manufacturer, to develop paintballs suited to recreational use.[4]

The paintball industry subsequently developed ammunition with water-soluble fillings and shell characteristics intended for different playing conditions.

Manufacturers and brands associated with ammunition development included ZAP Paintball, Diablo Paintball, Draxxus and GI Sportz.

Gravity-fed loaders

Early markers typically used horizontal feed tubes holding approximately ten paintballs.

As semiautomatic markers became more common, larger gravity-fed ammunition loaders were introduced.

Hoppers capable of carrying 100 to 200 paintballs became widely used.

Contemporary reporting by WARPIG documented the transition from small feed tubes to improvised and subsequently commercially manufactured loaders during the late 1980s.[6]

Electronic loaders

Higher firing rates created difficulties for conventional gravity-fed loaders.

Manufacturers responded by developing powered loading systems intended to reduce feeding interruptions.

The ViewLoader Revolution became a prominent electronically agitated loader during the late 1990s.

WARPIG documented its introduction at the 1997 NPPL World Cup and subsequent electronic revisions.[7]

Odyssey subsequently developed the Halo B family of powered loaders.

In June 2001, WARPIG reported on Odyssey's preparations to manufacture the original HALO system.[6]

Powered loaders became increasingly important as electronic tournament markers developed higher firing rates.

Later products included the DYE Rotor and Virtue Spire, which incorporated alternative feeding mechanisms and electronic controls.

Compressed-gas systems

Early paintball markers generally used disposable 12-gram CO₂ cartridges.

As the sport developed, refillable CO₂ cylinders became more common, allowing players to fire larger quantities of paintballs without replacing individual cartridges.

The introduction of constant-air systems supported longer games and the growing use of semiautomatic markers.

During the 1990s, high-pressure air (HPA) systems became increasingly common in tournament paintball.

These systems used compressed air stored in refillable cylinders and supplied through pressure regulators.

Compressed-air technology provided an alternative to CO₂, whose pressure and operating characteristics are affected by temperature.

Modern tournament equipment generally uses compressed-air systems, commonly incorporating aluminium or composite cylinders with nominal service pressures of 3,000 or 4,500 psi.

The design and maintenance of paintball compressed-gas equipment are subject to technical standards and applicable pressure-vessel regulations.

Protective equipment

Early protection

The development of commercial paintball was accompanied by improvements in protective eyewear.

Early players used protective equipment adapted from other sports and industrial applications.

As paintball became more established, manufacturers developed goggles and face protection specifically designed for paintball impacts.

JT USA, originally associated with motocross equipment, became an important supplier of dedicated paintball goggles and protective accessories.

Other manufacturers subsequently developed competing protective systems.

Modern goggle systems

Paintball-specific goggles evolved to incorporate full-face coverage, ear protection, adjustable retention systems and specialised impact-resistant lenses.

Thermal lens systems were developed to reduce condensation and fogging during play.

ASTM F1776 establishes performance requirements for eye, face and head protective devices intended for paintball.[8]

Protective equipment development also included padded jerseys, trousers, gloves and protective undergarments designed for recreational and tournament play.

Harnesses and equipment carrying systems

The increasing ammunition demands of tournament paintball encouraged the development of specialised carrying equipment.

Early players used simple belts, pouches and improvised ammunition holders.

During the 1990s, manufacturers introduced dedicated pod harnesses designed to carry multiple paintball tubes while allowing players to run, slide and take cover.

Redz Comfort Gear, founded by Greg Hastings, became associated with its Comfort Pack system, combining a supportive waist belt with interchangeable ammunition carriers.

Other manufacturers included KAPP, NXe, DYE Paintball and R7 Paintball Gear.

Harness development subsequently incorporated elastic retention systems, padded construction and modular pod arrangements.

Modern tournament equipment

During the 2000s and subsequent decades, manufacturers increasingly developed equipment specifically for professional and amateur speedball.

Modern tournament markers generally combine electronic firing controls, regulated compressed-air systems and compact pneumatic operating mechanisms.

Loaders incorporate powered feeding systems, while protective goggles and harnesses are designed for the movement requirements of competitive play.

Inflatable bunker systems, electronic scoreboards, chronographs and tournament timing equipment also became established components of organised competition.

The development of standardised field equipment was closely associated with the growth of the National Professional Paintball League, Paintball Sports Promotions and National Xball League.

More recent equipment development has also included mechanical tournament markers, magazine-fed systems and products intended for lower-impact recreational paintball.

References