Crosman

Crosman is an American compressed-air equipment manufacturer with a history of involvement in the paintball industry. The company manufactured the Crosman 3357 Spotmarker, a .50-calibre CO₂-powered paintball revolver produced from 1985 to 1991, and subsequently became the owner of the Sheridan paintball equipment business.[1][2]

In 1992, Crosman acquired Benjamin Sheridan Corporation, bringing established paintball markers including the Sheridan PGP and Sheridan rifle series under its ownership. The company later developed the Game Face Paintball brand and participated in professional paintball sponsorship.[3][4]

History

Early involvement in paintball

Crosman's involvement in paintball included the development of the 3357 Spotmarker during the mid-1980s.

The marker was based on the company's existing Model 357 CO₂-powered air pistol, adapted to fire .50-calibre paintballs.

Unlike most early paintball markers, which used a single-shot or pump-action mechanism, the Spotmarker employed a rotating cylinder holding six paintballs.

Crosman's official historical records identify 1985 to 1991 as the period of manufacture.[1]

An advertisement published in the May 1988 issue of Action Pursuit Games promoted the Spotmarker for US$89.[5]

The marker was also documented in WARPIG's 1994 paintball equipment guide, which described its six-shot cylinder, single-action and double-action operation, and compatibility with additional removable cylinders.[6]

Acquisition of Benjamin Sheridan

In 1992, Crosman acquired Benjamin Sheridan Corporation, an established American manufacturer of pneumatic airguns and paintball markers.

The acquisition brought Sheridan's paintball equipment business under Crosman's ownership.[3]

Sheridan products included the PGP pistol and several rifle-style pump-action markers, as well as equipment distributed through Pursuit Marketing Inc. (PMI).

Following the acquisition, Crosman continued its involvement in the paintball market through the Sheridan product line.

The company subsequently operated a Sheridan Paintball division and developed additional paintball equipment under its associated brands.[4]

Game Face Paintball

In 2001, Crosman partnered with Procaps to establish Game Face Paintball.

The brand marketed paintball products and was associated with professional tournament sponsorship.

A report published by the Rochester Business Journal on 17 December 2004 identified Game Face Paintball as a major sponsor of Detroit Strange, an American professional tournament team.[7]

Crosman's own retrospective company history also identifies Game Face Paintball as a successor to its Sheridan paintball business.[4]

Paintball markers

The VintageRex historical database lists two entries directly under Crosman.[2]

Marker	Documented period	Description
3357 Spotmarker	1985–1991	.50-calibre CO₂-powered revolver holding six paintballs in a removable rotating cylinder.
3357 Spotmarker Rifle	Unknown	Separately catalogued by VintageRex as a .68-calibre revolver-style marker. Commercial production and manufacturer specifications have not been verified.

The first model is documented by the manufacturer's original operating manual, parts diagram and contemporary advertisements.

The Spotmarker Rifle is recorded in VintageRex but lacks comparable primary-source documentation.

3357 Spotmarker

The 3357 Spotmarker was a .50-calibre paintball revolver based on Crosman's Model 357 air pistol.

It used a rotating six-shot cylinder and operated from a single 12-gram CO₂ cartridge housed inside the grip.

The marker could be fired in either single-action or double-action mode.

For single-action operation, the hammer was cocked manually before the trigger was pulled. In double-action operation, pulling the trigger rotated the cylinder, cocked the mechanism and fired the marker.[6]

The barrel assembly opened on a hinge to allow removal and replacement of the cylinder.

Crosman's original manual identifies the marker as suitable for paintball games and training applications.[8]

Specification	Detail
Manufacturer	Crosman
Model	3357 Spotmarker
Production period	1985–1991
Calibre	.50
Action	Single-action or double-action revolver
Capacity	Six paintballs
Feed system	Removable rotating cylinder
Barrel	Fixed smoothbore
Gas source	12-gram CO₂ cartridge
Overall length	11⅜ inches
Front sight	Fixed blade
Rear sight	Adjustable for windage and elevation
Safety	Hammer-block safety

The specifications are taken from Crosman's original operating manual.[8]

Contemporary advertising

The May 1988 Action Pursuit Games advertisement promoted the Spotmarker with improvements to its barrel, cylinder and latch system.

It also advertised the removable six-shot cylinder and the option of single-action or double-action firing.

The advertised retail price was US$89.[5]

The Spotmarker's .50-calibre ammunition distinguished it from the .68-calibre paintballs increasingly used by other manufacturers.

WARPIG's 1994 equipment guide continued to list the Spotmarker, although production had already ended according to Crosman's official records.[1][6]

3357 Spotmarker Rifle

VintageRex separately catalogues a 3357 Spotmarker Rifle.

Its entry describes a revolver-operated marker with a fixed barrel, cylinder feed and 12-gram CO₂ power source.

Unlike the standard 3357, the catalogue identifies the Rifle as .68 calibre.[9]

However, the entry provides no confirmed production date, original advertisement, manufacturer's manual or documented production quantity.

No corresponding model has been identified in the inspected Crosman historical documentation.

The catalogue entry is therefore retained as a historical record, but its commercial production and precise relationship to the standard Spotmarker remain unverified.

Other paintball equipment

Through its ownership of Sheridan and subsequent paintball brands, Crosman was associated with a wider range of equipment than the two markers listed directly under its name in VintageRex.

Products marketed through its paintball businesses included pump-action and semi-automatic markers, CO₂-powered equipment and associated accessories.[3][4]

The detailed histories of individual Sheridan markers and Game Face products are covered under their respective manufacturers and brands.

References

External links