Editing ATCI


'''ATCI''' (also styled '''A.T.C.I.''') was a paintball equipment manufacturer active during the early 1990s. The company produced .68-calibre pump-action [[paintball marker]]s, including the [[ATCI TM-11A|TM-11A]] and [[ATCI TM-12|TM-12]]. Both models used Nelson-style valve systems and operated using constant-air supplies.[1]

ATCI equipment was distributed internationally by [[National Paintball Supply]].[2]

== History ==

ATCI manufactured pump-action paintball markers during the early 1990s.

One of its principal products was the TM-11A, a military-styled pump marker featuring an adjustable shoulder stock, carrying handle, barrel-mounted pump grip and direct-feed system.

An original manufacturer advertisement preserved by [[VintageRex]] identifies the TM-11A as designed and produced by A.T.C.I. and distributed worldwide by National Paintball Supply.[2]

The advertisement lists distribution contacts in New Jersey and South Carolina in the United States, and Melbourne, Australia.

The TM-11A's design was documented in United States Design Patent D337,627, filed by John C. Moran of Fort Wayne, Indiana, on 27 June 1991 and granted on 20 July 1993. The patent covers the ornamental appearance of a paintball marker matching the general configuration of the TM-11A.[3]

The German Paintball Museum has also documented a surviving TM-11A, identifying it as a 1991 pump-action marker. The museum reported receiving the marker as a donation in March 2017.[4]

The company's full corporate name, ownership and precise operating dates have not been established.

== Paintball markers ==

VintageRex records two ATCI models.[1]

{| class="wikitable"
! Marker
! Action
! Calibre
! Valve system
! Gas source
|-
| [[ATCI TM-11A|TM-11A]]
| Pump-action
| .68
| Nelson
| Constant air
|-
| [[ATCI TM-12|TM-12]]
| Pump-action
| .68
| Nelson
| Constant air
|}

Both models are catalogued as having direct-feed systems and fixed barrels. Their precise production dates are not established in the VintageRex database.[1]

=== TM-11A ===

The '''TM-11A''' was a .68-calibre pump-action marker using a Nelson-style valve system.

The marker featured an external appearance inspired by military rifles, including an adjustable shoulder stock, integrated carrying handle and barrel-mounted pump grip.

An original ATCI advertisement documents the following equipment and features:[2]

* 11-inch black-anodised aluminium barrel.
* Fibre-reinforced nylon pump handle and grip.
* Adjustable rear sight integrated into the carrying handle.
* Stainless-steel receiver.
* Direct-feed tube angled at 45 degrees.
* Rear-mounted CO₂ tank adaptor.
* Stainless-steel internal components.
* Delrin bolt with a stainless-steel anti-kink tube.
* Adjustable velocity system.
* Automatic trigger mechanism.
* Removable shoulder stock.

The marker was advertised in two configurations:

* '''US$149.95''': Supplied with a constant-air adaptor or quick-change system.
* '''US$189.95''': Supplied with a CO₂ tank.

The manufacturer also advertised optional barrels, sight mounts and carrying equipment.[2]

=== TM-12 ===

The '''TM-12''' was another .68-calibre pump-action marker produced under the ATCI name.

VintageRex records a Nelson-style valve system, direct feed, fixed barrel and constant-air operation.[5]

The precise differences between the TM-11A and TM-12 have not been established from the available manufacturer documentation.

== Design patent ==

United States Design Patent D337,627, titled ''Paint Ball Gun'', was filed on 27 June 1991 and granted on 20 July 1993.

The patent names John C. Moran of Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the inventor and includes six technical illustrations showing the external appearance of the marker.

The illustrated design incorporates a pump-action barrel assembly, carrying handle, adjustable shoulder stock, pistol grip and offset hopper.

The patent protects the ornamental design rather than establishing ownership of the marker's internal operating mechanism.[3]

== See also ==

* [[ATCI TM-11A]]
* [[ATCI TM-12]]
* [[National Paintball Supply]]
* [[List of vintage paintball markers and equipment]]

== References ==

# [https://www.vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewdb&man=ATCI VintageRex, "ATCI", historical manufacturer and marker catalogue].
# [https://www.vintagerex.com/pics/gunpics/ATCI/TM-11A/ads/atci_tm-11a.jpg ATCI, "TM-11A", original manufacturer advertisement distributed by National Paintball Supply, archived by VintageRex].
# [https://patents.google.com/patent/USD337627S/en United States Design Patent D337,627, "Paint Ball Gun", John C. Moran, filed 27 June 1991, granted 20 July 1993].
# [https://pbhub.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=223&t=85519&start=100 Deutsches Paintball Museum, "Aus unserer Sammlung", 13 March 2017, documenting acquisition of a 1991 ATCI TM-11A].
# [https://www.vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewmarker&man=ATCI&marker=TM-12 VintageRex, "TM-12", historical marker record].

== External links ==

* [https://www.vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewdb&man=ATCI ATCI at VintageRex]
* [https://www.vintagerex.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=viewmarker&man=ATCI&marker=TM-11A ATCI TM-11A at VintageRex]
* [https://www.vintagerex.com/pics/gunpics/ATCI/TM-11A/patents/tm11a_patent.pdf Original TM-11A design patent archived by VintageRex]

[[Category:Paintball manufacturers]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment manufacturers]]