Burgfeld International
Burgfeld International was a paintball equipment manufacturer or brand active during the 1990s. The company marketed mechanical semi-automatic paintball markers, including the Black Knight and Safari. Both markers are documented in the VintageRex historical paintball equipment database.[1]
The Black Knight was marketed as an affordable semi-automatic marker featuring a lightweight polymer frame and a Montneel-style valve system.[2][3]
History
[edit]Burgfeld International marketed paintball markers during the 1990s, offering equipment intended for recreational and commercial paintball use.
Its Black Knight was advertised as an affordable alternative to more expensive semi-automatic markers. Original manufacturer advertising emphasised the marker's lightweight construction, straightforward maintenance and relatively low retail price.[3]
VintageRex records the Black Knight as a 1994 model and identifies its production period as 1994 to 1998. The Safari is catalogued as a 1993 model.[2][4]
The company's founding date, ownership, location and subsequent operating history have not been independently established.
Paintball markers
[edit]Black Knight
[edit]The Black Knight was a .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic paintball marker using a Montneel-style valve system.
It featured a lightweight polymer frame, direct-feed arrangement and removable threaded barrel.
The manufacturer's original advertisement promoted several features, including:
- High-strength polymer frame designed to reduce marker weight.
- Semi-automatic firing mechanism.
- All-weather valve system.
- Removable barrel and simplified field-stripping arrangement.
- Internal construction intended to minimise loose components during maintenance.
The advertisement claimed that the marker weighed less than two pounds and promoted its suggested retail price as less than US$160.[3]
VintageRex records the following specifications:[2]
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Black Knight |
| Documented year | 1994 |
| Production period recorded by VintageRex | 1994–1998 |
| Calibre | .68 |
| Action | Mechanical semi-automatic |
| Valve system | Montneel-style |
| Feed system | Direct feed |
| Barrel | Removable, threaded |
| Gas source | Constant air |
Safari
[edit]The Safari was another .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic marker catalogued under Burgfeld International.
VintageRex lists the model as dating from 1993 and provides the following specifications:[4]
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Safari |
| Documented year | 1993 |
| Calibre | .68 |
| Action | Mechanical semi-automatic |
| Valve system | Montneel-style |
| Feed system | Direct feed |
| Barrel | Removable |
| Gas source | Constant air |
The VintageRex record contains a description referring to a marker called the Knight rather than the Safari. The relationship between the two models has not been established from the available documentation.
See also
[edit]- Black Knight
- Safari (paintball marker)
- Montneel Designs
- List of vintage paintball markers and equipment
References
[edit]- VintageRex, "Burgfeld International", historical manufacturer catalogue.
- VintageRex, "Black Knight", historical marker record.
- Burgfeld International, "Maximum Splat... Minimum Buck!", original Black Knight manufacturer advertisement preserved by VintageRex.
- VintageRex, "Safari", historical marker record.
