Editing SplatMaster (section)

== History ==

=== Development ===

During the early 1980s, National Survival Game supplied [[Nelspot 007]] marking pistols to its network of recreational paintball fields.

Although the Nelspot had been used in the first recorded organised paintball game in 1981, it had originally been designed for forestry and agricultural marking.

As recreational paintball expanded, NSG sought to develop a purpose-built marker that was inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight and suitable for use by new players.[2][6]

Bob Gurnsey directed the development of the SplatMaster, working with engineer Robert G. Shepherd.

The resulting design used a reinforced polymer body rather than the predominantly metal construction of earlier marking pistols.

According to Gurnsey's recollections in a 1992 interview with ''[[Action Pursuit Games]]'', development discussions concerning the polymer construction took place during 1983.[2]

Shepherd filed a patent application for the mechanism on 21 February 1984.

United States Patent 4,531,503, titled ''Fluid pressure repeating pistol with unitary barrel and hammer assembly'', was granted on 30 July 1985.[3]

=== Introduction ===

The SplatMaster entered the paintball market around 1984–1985.

[[VintageRex]] records 1984 as its introduction year, while other historical accounts describe commercial introduction during 1985.[1][6]

The marker was initially marketed through National Survival Game's established field network, providing an alternative to the Nelspot 007.

The SplatMaster was subsequently distributed to sporting goods retailers and individual customers.

Its original retail price was approximately US$80, making it considerably less expensive than many competing paintball markers.[1][4]

The marker's simplified construction and comparatively low price contributed to its adoption by recreational players.

National Survival Game registered the SplatMaster name as a trademark for CO2-powered pistols on 30 August 1985.[7]

=== Production ===

The SplatMaster was manufactured using moulded, fibre-reinforced polymer components.

According to historical research published by [[Daniel Bacci]], Gurnsey's Culpepper Plastics Corporation in Arkansas produced polymer components for National Survival Game markers.

The components were subsequently assembled by National Survival Game in New Hampshire.[2]

The SplatMaster continued to be marketed during the later 1980s and remained in use into the 1990s.