Palmer's Pursuit Shop
Palmer's Pursuit Shop (PPS), also styled Palmers Pursuit Shop, is an American specialist manufacturer and custom workshop for paintball markers, pneumatic components and pressure regulators. Established by Glenn Palmer in 1988 in Sacramento, California, the company became known for its hand-built brass paintball markers, early gravity-fed semiautomatic technology and precision airsmithing.[1][2]
Its principal products include the Hurricane, Typhoon, Stroker, Blazer and Squall semiautomatic markers, the Houndstooth, Paladin and Pug pump markers, and the Stabilizer and Rock regulators.[2][3]
Palmer's Pursuit Shop was an early developer of pneumatic recocking systems for paintball markers. Its founder developed a functioning gravity-fed semiautomatic prototype, known as Camille, in 1988.[4]
Unlike manufacturers primarily associated with large-scale production, PPS specialised in custom-built markers and individual modifications. Its products became recognised among paintball enthusiasts for their brass construction, mechanical design and emphasis on reliability.
The company subsequently developed into a family business involving Glenn Palmer and his son Craig Palmer.[3]
| Name | Palmer's Pursuit Shop |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | PPS |
| Alternative styling | Palmers Pursuit Shop |
| Type | Paintball equipment manufacturer and custom airsmithing workshop |
| Industry | Paintball equipment |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Glenn Palmer |
| Associated person | Craig Palmer |
| Original location | Sacramento, California, United States |
| Country | United States |
| Products | Paintball markers, pressure regulators, barrels, pneumatic components, custom conversions |
| Notable markers | Hurricane, Typhoon, Stroker, Blazer, Squall, Houndstooth, Paladin, Pug |
| Notable accessories | Stabilizer regulator, Rock regulator, Quicksilver CO2 changer |
| Website | https://palmerspursuit.com/ |
History
[edit]Origins
[edit]Palmer's Pursuit Shop originated from the paintball equipment development work of Glenn Palmer.
Palmer began playing paintball in 1984 and subsequently modified existing markers to improve their operation.
His background in gunsmithing and mechanical engineering influenced his approach to paintball equipment.
One of his earliest commercial products was the Quicksilver, a device intended to simplify replacement of disposable 12-gram CO2 cartridges.
Palmer's work expanded from accessories into complete paintball marker development.
Establishment in 1988
[edit]Palmer established Palmer's Pursuit Shop in 1988.[1]
The business operated in Sacramento, California.
Its initial activities included custom gunsmithing, marker modifications, specialist components and the development of semiautomatic operating systems.
PPS became associated with small-scale manufacturing and individual customer orders.
Many early products were based on the mechanical principles of Sheridan paintball markers.
Early semiautomatic development
[edit]During 1988, Palmer developed a pneumatic system capable of automatically recocking a paintball marker.
His experimental marker, known as Camille, was based on a Sheridan-style design.
Palmer began constructing Camille in August 1988 and reported that it was functioning by September.[4]
The mechanism used regulated gas pressure and a pneumatic cylinder to cycle the marker.
Its development contributed to the emergence of practical gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball equipment.
The project formed the technical foundation for subsequent PPS products.
Early commercial markers
[edit]PPS subsequently developed the Hurricane and Typhoon.
The company's official historical account identifies the Hurricane as the earlier design.
The Typhoon was introduced commercially in February 1990.[5]
Both used pneumatic recocking systems.
These markers were individually constructed rather than produced through conventional high-volume manufacturing.
Expansion during the 1990s
[edit]During the 1990s, Palmer's Pursuit Shop developed a wider range of custom markers and accessories.
The company became particularly associated with brass-bodied semiautomatic markers.
Its products included:
- Hurricane rifles
- Typhoon semiautomatic markers
- Stroker conversions
- Custom pump markers
- Double-barrel configurations
- Pneumatic regulators
- Brass barrels
PPS also provided repair and modification services for equipment manufactured by other companies.
Development of the Blazer
[edit]During the mid-1990s, PPS began developing a more standardised semiautomatic marker.
The resulting Blazer incorporated the company's pneumatic operating principles into a compact aluminium receiver.
Unlike earlier PPS markers, which were individually constructed using brass components, the Blazer was designed to be manufactured more efficiently.[2]
Development delays affected the initial release.
By the early 2000s, the Blazer had become an established PPS product.
Family business
[edit]Glenn Palmer's son, Craig Palmer, joined the business during the 1990s.
Craig became involved in machining, product development, customer orders and company operations.
By July 2004, contemporary WARPIG reporting described PPS as a father-and-son business.[3]
The company's custom manufacturing operations continued alongside its production regulators and Blazer markers.
Manufacturing and design
[edit]Custom airsmithing
[edit]Custom airsmithing was central to the company's identity.
PPS manufactured complete markers to individual customer specifications.
Customers could request different configurations, finishes, barrel lengths and mechanical features.
The process involved direct communication between the customer and the workshop.
A 2004 WARPIG review of the Squall described an ordering process involving correspondence with Craig Palmer to determine the marker's design and price.[3]
This distinguished PPS from manufacturers whose custom models primarily involved cosmetic changes to standard production markers.
Brass construction
[edit]Many PPS markers were constructed from brass tubing.
The company used stacked-tube designs derived from Sheridan-style equipment.
In these designs, the lower tube generally contained the firing valve and hammer.
The upper tube contained the barrel and bolt assembly.
The components were machined, assembled and finished by the workshop.
Brass construction became one of the most recognisable characteristics of PPS equipment.
Pneumatic recocking
[edit]PPS developed a pneumatic recocking system for semiautomatic operation.
The system used regulated gas pressure to operate a cylinder connected to the marker's cocking mechanism.
A mechanical valve controlled the pneumatic cycle.
The system allowed a marker to recock after firing without requiring manual pump operation.
It was used in several PPS products, including the Hurricane, Typhoon, Stroker and Squall.
Reliability and maintenance
[edit]The company placed considerable emphasis on mechanical reliability.
PPS designs generally avoided unnecessary external adjustments.
Glenn Palmer advocated maintaining equipment properly without excessive modification.
The Blazer reflected this philosophy by incorporating its pneumatic components inside the receiver, reducing exposure to damage and accidental adjustment.[2]
Semiautomatic markers
[edit]Hurricane
[edit]The Hurricane was one of PPS's earliest semiautomatic marker designs.
It developed from the pneumatic system used in Camille.
The Hurricane was commonly built in a rifle-style configuration.
It used a brass body and a pneumatic recocking assembly.
The design was particularly associated with custom construction and traditional rifle ergonomics.
PPS identifies the Hurricane as predating the Typhoon.[5]
In a 1996 interview, Glenn Palmer stated that he personally preferred the Hurricane rifle configuration.[6]
Typhoon
[edit]The Typhoon became one of PPS's best-known markers.
The company states that the Typhoon was introduced in February 1990 and made its professional tournament debut at the 1990 Bay City Open.[5]
The Typhoon used a closed-bolt pneumatic operating system.
It was manufactured as a complete custom marker rather than converted from a customer-owned pump marker.
The design incorporated brass construction and individually assembled mechanical components.
The company continued to emphasise custom production and individual quality control.
Stroker
[edit]The Stroker was a semiautomatic conversion service.
Unlike the Typhoon, which PPS manufactured from scratch, a Stroker was created by modifying an existing customer-owned marker.
The conversion generally involved Sheridan or PMI pump-action equipment.
PPS installed its pneumatic recocking mechanism and modified the marker's internal components as required.
Glenn Palmer explained this distinction in a 1996 WARPIG interview.[6]
The Stroker allowed owners of existing equipment to obtain semiautomatic operation without purchasing an entirely new marker.
Blazer
[edit]The Blazer was developed as a compact semiautomatic marker.
Its aluminium receiver incorporated the pneumatic components internally.
The design differed from PPS's earlier brass markers and from the externally mounted pneumatic components of the Autococker.
Features included:
- Internal pneumatic recocking
- Closed-bolt operation
- Integrated pneumatic controls
- A swing-style trigger
- A removable bolt
- A proprietary barrel-retention system
The Blazer was intended to provide PPS performance in a more standardised production design.
A detailed WARPIG review documented the marker's construction and operation.[2]
Squall
[edit]The Squall was a compact semiautomatic paintball pistol.
It incorporated PPS pneumatic technology into a custom pistol configuration.
The marker was manufactured to individual customer specifications.
A July 2004 WARPIG technical review documented its construction and operating system.[3]
The Squall demonstrated the company's continued production of custom brass markers alongside the Blazer.
Pump-action markers
[edit]Houndstooth
[edit]The Houndstooth was a custom pump-action marker produced by PPS.
It used the company's traditional brass construction methods.
The design was associated with high-quality custom pump equipment.
A double-barrel version was also produced.
Paladin
[edit]The Paladin was another PPS pump-action design.
It formed part of the company's custom brass marker range.
Individual configurations could vary according to customer specifications.
Pug
[edit]The Pug was a compact pump-action marker.
It was included among the company's recognised custom configurations.
WARPIG's 2004 Squall review identifies the Houndstooth, Paladin and Pug as PPS pump-action designs.[3]
Double-barrel markers
[edit]Nasty series
[edit]PPS produced double-barrel versions of selected markers.
These were commonly identified by the prefix Nasty.
Examples included the Nasty Typhoon and double-barrel pump configurations.
The designs incorporated two firing assemblies within a single custom marker.
They were specialist products manufactured in relatively small numbers.
Nasty Typhoon
[edit]The Nasty Typhoon was a double-barrel semiautomatic marker.
It was designed to discharge two paintballs with each trigger pull.
In a 1996 interview, Glenn Palmer estimated that approximately 42 double-barrel examples had been produced at that time.[6]
This figure should be understood as a contemporary estimate rather than a final production total.
Regulators
[edit]Stabilizer
[edit]The Stabilizer was one of PPS's most commercially significant products.
It was a pressure regulator designed to provide consistent gas delivery to a paintball marker.
The Stabilizer became particularly associated with CO2-powered equipment.
CO2 systems were sensitive to temperature changes and variations in gas pressure.
The Stabilizer helped regulate the pressure delivered to the marker.
It was also used with compressed-air systems.
The regulator became popular among players using equipment manufactured by other companies.[2]
Rock
[edit]The Rock was a compact low-pressure regulator.
It was originally developed from the pneumatic regulator technology used in PPS semiautomatic markers.
The Rock became a popular aftermarket upgrade for the Autococker.
Its function was to regulate pressure supplied to the Autococker's pneumatic recocking components.
WARPIG described the Rock as a widely adopted aftermarket component.[2]
The product demonstrates the influence of PPS engineering beyond its own marker range.
Barrels and accessories
[edit]Brass barrels
[edit]PPS manufactured and modified brass paintball barrels.
The company offered custom lengths, finishes and porting.
Its barrel work was associated with precision machining and polished internal surfaces.
Wedgits
[edit]One of the company's distinctive barrel features was the Wedgit.
A Wedgit is a small internal constriction intended to help retain an undersized paintball inside a closed-bolt marker's barrel.
This reduced the possibility of a paintball rolling forward before firing.
Later PPS barrels used multiple Wedgits distributed around the internal circumference.[2]
Quicksilver
[edit]The Quicksilver was an early CO2 cartridge-changing accessory developed by Glenn Palmer.
It allowed more convenient replacement of disposable 12-gram cartridges.
The product formed part of the company's earliest commercial equipment development.
Custom components
[edit]PPS also manufactured and supplied:
- Pneumatic valves
- Regulator assemblies
- Custom bolts
- Barrel modifications
- Trigger components
- Air-system fittings
- Replacement mechanical parts
- Specialist repair components
The workshop serviced both its own products and selected equipment from other manufacturers.
Relationship with Worr Game Products
[edit]Parallel technological development
[edit]PPS and Worr Game Products were important manufacturers of mechanical semiautomatic paintball equipment.
WGP was founded by Bud Orr, developer of the WGP Sniper and Autococker.
Both companies used pneumatic recocking technology.
However, their designs differed in construction, component layout and manufacturing methods.
Dispute over early semiautomatic development
[edit]Glenn Palmer and Bud Orr developed pneumatic recocking systems during the late 1980s.
The historical priority of their respective systems has been debated.
Palmer maintained that his early work preceded Orr's application of pneumatic recocking to the Sniper platform.[6]
WARPIG's Blazer review described the dispute as unresolved within the paintball community.[2]
The historical distinction is between the development of pneumatic recocking technology generally and the creation of specific commercial products.
Orr is credited with developing the Autococker.
Palmer is credited with developing Camille and the pneumatic operating systems used in PPS markers.
Aftermarket relationship
[edit]Despite the rivalry between the two designs, PPS supplied components used on WGP equipment.
The Rock regulator became particularly popular among Autococker owners.
This commercial relationship illustrates the interconnected nature of the early paintball equipment industry.
Tournament paintball
[edit]Early tournament use
[edit]PPS semiautomatic markers were used in competitive paintball during the early 1990s.
The company's official history identifies the 1990 Bay City Open as the Typhoon's tournament debut.[5]
Glenn Palmer also reported that the Dogs of War team used Hurricanes at the event.
The exact tournament results and team equipment records require further independent verification.
Sponsorship approach
[edit]PPS did not pursue the same level of professional team sponsorship as larger equipment manufacturers.
In a 1996 interview, Glenn Palmer explained that the labour involved in manufacturing his equipment made extensive product sponsorship impractical.[6]
The company relied heavily on word-of-mouth recommendations and its reputation for quality.
Competitive influence
[edit]PPS products influenced tournament equipment through both complete markers and aftermarket components.
Its regulators were used on equipment produced by other manufacturers.
The company's pneumatic designs also contributed to the development of mechanical semiautomatic paintball technology.
Internet and paintball community
[edit]rec.sport.paintball
[edit]Palmer's Pursuit Shop was closely associated with the early online paintball community.
Glenn Palmer participated in the rec.sport.paintball Usenet newsgroup.
He used the forum to answer technical questions, discuss equipment and communicate with players.
WARPIG described him as one of the early paintball industry figures to make effective use of the Internet.[2]
WARPIG archive
[edit]Palmer contributed photographs and technical information to the early online archive that later developed into WARPIG.com.
These contributions helped preserve information about early paintball equipment.
The relationship also resulted in interviews and technical reviews documenting PPS products.
1996 interview
[edit]On 15 May 1996, Glenn Palmer participated in a live WARPIG Internet Relay Chat interview.[6]
The discussion covered:
- Development of the Blazer
- Typhoon and Stroker manufacturing differences
- Hurricane production
- Double-barrel markers
- Regulators
- Barrel technology
- Custom airsmithing
- Tournament sponsorship
- Equipment reliability
The interview provides a detailed contemporary record of the company's products and operating philosophy.
Business model
[edit]Made-to-order manufacturing
[edit]PPS specialised in made-to-order equipment.
Customers could specify mechanical and cosmetic details.
The company adjusted pricing according to the labour and materials required.
This approach allowed considerable flexibility but limited production volume.
Product support
[edit]The company placed considerable emphasis on customer support and equipment maintenance.
Its official historical material describes extended warranty support for certain products.[5]
The precise terms varied between products and periods.
Production philosophy
[edit]PPS distinguished itself through mechanical craftsmanship rather than extensive advertising.
The company promoted the durability and performance of its products.
Its manufacturing approach placed importance on precision machining, component fitting and reliability.
Historical significance
[edit]Palmer's Pursuit Shop is significant in the history of paintball equipment for several reasons.
- It was established during the early commercial development of paintball.
- It helped pioneer gravity-fed pneumatic semiautomatic marker technology.
- It produced some of the best-known custom brass markers of the 1990s.
- It developed the Hurricane, Typhoon, Stroker, Blazer and Squall.
- It manufactured widely used aftermarket regulators.
- It supported custom airsmithing as a specialist trade.
- It contributed to early Internet-based paintball technical discussion.
- It demonstrated an alternative to high-volume equipment manufacturing.
- It maintained a family-based approach to specialist equipment production.
The company's influence extended beyond its own markers through components used on competing platforms and its contribution to the development of semiautomatic paintball technology.
Timeline
[edit]| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Glenn Palmer begins playing paintball |
| Mid-1980s | Early paintball modifications and Quicksilver development |
| 1988 | Palmer's Pursuit Shop established in Sacramento, California |
| August 1988 | Glenn Palmer begins constructing Camille |
| September 1988 | Camille becomes operational |
| Late 1980s | Hurricane development and early pneumatic semiautomatic work |
| February 1990 | Typhoon introduced commercially, according to PPS |
| 1990 | Typhoon makes its reported tournament debut at the Bay City Open |
| Early 1990s | Typhoon and Stroker custom production expands |
| 1990s | Rock and Stabilizer regulators become established aftermarket products |
| Mid-1990s | Blazer development and prototype demonstrations |
| 15 May 1996 | Glenn Palmer participates in WARPIG live interview |
| Late 1990s | Craig Palmer becomes increasingly involved in the business |
| Early 2000s | Blazer becomes an established production product |
| July 2004 | WARPIG publishes technical review of the Squall |
| January 2017 | PPS publishes historical material on the Typhoon and Stroker |
See also
[edit]- Glenn Palmer
- Craig Palmer
- Bud Orr
- Worr Game Products
- Autococker
- WGP Sniper
- Palmer Typhoon
- Palmer Blazer
- Sheridan paintball markers
- Paintball equipment manufacturers
- History of paintball markers
- Paintball in California
- Paintball in the United States
References
[edit]- "About Us", Palmer's Pursuit Shop. Official company history documenting the business's establishment, Glenn Palmer's background and Craig Palmer's involvement.
- "Palmer's Pursuit Blazer", WARPIG, Bill Mills. Historical and technical review covering PPS, the Blazer, Rock and Stabilizer regulators, and early Internet involvement.
- "Palmer's Squall", WARPIG, Bill Mills, July 2004. Contemporary technical review documenting the company's custom manufacturing, product range and father-and-son operation.
- "Glenn Palmer on Camille", WARPIG. Firsthand historical account of the development of Camille and early pneumatic semiautomatic technology.
- "The Typhoon", Palmer's Pursuit Shop, 12 January 2017. Manufacturer's historical account of the Hurricane, Typhoon and early tournament use.
- "Hot Seat Live — Interview with Glenn Palmer", WARPIG, 15 May 1996. Contemporary interview covering the company's products, manufacturing methods and business philosophy.
- "Typhoon vs. Stroker", Palmer's Pursuit Shop, 19 January 2017. Manufacturer's explanation of the differences between complete custom markers and semiautomatic conversions.