Editing Paintball marker (section)

== History ==

=== Early marking equipment ===

The first organised paintball game in 1981 used [[Nelspot 007]] pistols, originally manufactured for the [[Nelson Paint Company]] for agricultural and forestry marking.

These early devices used disposable 12-gram CO2 cartridges and required manual operation between shots.

The original Nelspot incorporated an inline valve design that influenced numerous later pump-action markers.[2]

During the early 1980s, manufacturers began developing equipment specifically for recreational paintball.

Companies including [[National Survival Game]], [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] and [[Sheridan]] introduced or distributed markers using different valve systems and feeding arrangements.

Early examples included the [[Splatmaster]], Sheridan PGP and PMI pump-action models.[2]

=== Semiautomatic markers ===

During the second half of the 1980s, manufacturers introduced markers capable of firing successive paintballs without manual recocking.

[[Tippmann]] developed early semiautomatic and selective-fire equipment, including the SMG series and later Pro-Am and Pro-Lite markers.[3]

In 1990, [[Airgun Designs]] introduced the [[Automag]], designed by [[Tom Kaye]].

The Automag used a blow-forward valve system and integrated regulator, distinguishing it from conventional hammer-operated markers.[4]

[[Bud Orr]] of [[Worr Game Products]] developed the [[Autococker]], a semiautomatic marker derived from the earlier [[WGP Sniper]] pump-action design.

The Automag and Autococker became prominent tournament marker platforms during the 1990s.[4]

=== Electronic markers ===

Electronic firing systems became commercially established during the 1990s.

The [[Shocker]], developed by PneuVentures and distributed by [[Smart Parts]], and the [[WDP Angel]] were introduced in 1996.

These markers used electronic controls to operate pneumatic firing mechanisms.

Electronic systems subsequently became increasingly common in professional tournament paintball.[5]

Later technological developments included programmable firing modes, electronic paintball detection systems, improved regulators and more efficient pneumatic mechanisms.