Editing BT Paintball (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

BT Paintball was established by Ben Tippmann, who had previously worked for [[Tippmann Pneumatics]], the American manufacturer founded by members of the Tippmann family.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ben Tippmann was involved in promoting Tippmann equipment at tournaments, scenario games and trade shows.

He subsequently left the company and established his own paintball equipment business.

BT Paintball appeared in 2004, initially marketing a range of tactical and scenario-oriented markers and accessories.[1]

The original BT name was associated with Ben Tippmann, while the brand subsequently adopted '''Battle Tested''' as its commercial identity.[4]

=== BT-16 ===

The company's first major marker platform was the [[BT-16]], a mechanical semi-automatic marker developed for woodland and scenario paintball.

The BT-16 used a blowback operating system and incorporated military-style external components.

Its construction was designed to support the attachment of accessories, including shoulder stocks, sighting equipment and barrel assemblies.

A detailed technical review published by [[WARPIG]] in September 2005 examined the BT-16 Elite, including its mechanical operation, maintenance requirements and firing performance.[1]

The review documented the marker's open-bolt blowback mechanism, removable grip frame, interchangeable barrel adaptor and accessory mounting arrangements.

=== BT-4 series ===

BT subsequently developed the [[BT-4]], which became the foundation of an extensive range of recreational and scenario markers.

The BT-4 was a .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic marker incorporating a blowback operating system and removable barrel.

It was designed to accommodate numerous external accessories, allowing customers to configure the same basic platform with different stocks, barrels, foregrips and tactical components.

The original product range included the BT-4 Combat, Assault and Rental models. A manufacturer's manual dated July 2005 documents these configurations.[5]

Additional models and equipment packages followed, including the Delta, Ironhorse, Banshee, S.W.A.T. and ERC.

These products frequently shared the same underlying BT-4 mechanism, differing principally in their external equipment and accessory packages.

=== Expansion of the product range ===

During the late 2000s, BT expanded beyond conventional mechanical blowback markers.

The company developed the BT Electronic Grip Frame, allowing compatible mechanical markers to operate using electronically controlled firing modes.

The [[BT Rip Clip]] loader was also introduced as a side-mounted, motorised feeding system.

In December 2007, contemporary retailer reporting documented the BT-4 ERC, which combined the BT-4 Combat platform with an electronic trigger frame, Rip Clip loader and Apex barrel system.[6]

The company also introduced additional tactical-style marker configurations, including the Delta Elite.

=== TM-7 ===

In 2008, BT introduced the [[BT TM-7]], an electronic marker using internal technology related to the [[Invert Mini]].

Unlike the company's earlier mechanical markers, the TM-7 incorporated a compact electronic pneumatic firing system.

Its external design was inspired by the Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine gun, incorporating a folding foregrip, integrated stock and side-mounted firing-mode selector.

Contemporary reporting from the [[2008 PSP World Cup]] documented the TM-7 at the BT Paintball trade stand.

The marker had been released earlier that year and was exhibited alongside the company's other tactical equipment and accessories.[7]

=== Empire Battle Tested ===

BT subsequently became part of the wider paintball equipment portfolio associated with National Paintball Supply and KEE Action Sports.

By 2010, the brand was being marketed under the Empire Battle Tested name.

Manufacturer documentation identifies Battle Tested as a trademark of Empire Paintball and describes Empire as a brand of KEE Action Sports.[8]

The BT product range continued under Empire, including the BT-4 series and subsequent electronic and tactical marker designs.

Later products included the [[BT TM-15]], [[BT Omega]], [[BT SA-17]], [[BT D*Fender]] and the BT-4 Slice series.

These models are documented through the manufacturer's technical manuals and support archives.[3]

The available records do not establish a single date on which all Battle Tested products were discontinued.