A history of Brass Eagle

[dartamon]

Also, Raptor - 1996-2000. In 2000 the common platform (BE Avenger, Viewloader Surge, etc.) appeared. JT Excellerators were kinda their own thing.

[Ironnerd]

Thank-you for the correction.I was able to verify the introduction year at WARPIG

https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/rainmaker/rainmakerfaq.shtml

I updated the post.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

The rainmaker was released 97 (maybe 98).

Thank you for the write up

[Ironnerd]

Posted.

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/paintball-news-aa/the-dead-zone/126134-action-pursuit-games-magazine-archive#post126134

[Rusty Brass]

Good question. There's no library/archive section so probably just The Dead Zone? I'm sure there are a couple of us out there who'd enjoy thumbing through an issue or two.

[Ironnerd]

You make a good point. What part of the forum, do you think?

[Rusty Brass]

Ahhh, the 80's. What a decade to have survived! That link is pretty fantastic, if it hasn't been posted to the main forum maybe it should be? It's a pretty good selection of APG issues all in one place.

[Ironnerd]

Some research has produced an ad from Action Pursuit Games Premier issue (1897). In this ad (complete with 80's gal), the "Nightmare" is a product of "War Game Airgun Supply" of Missassauga, Ontario, Canada which would later become the Brass Eagle company we all know and love.



This article a few months later pretty much removes all doubt [LINK]

[Siress]

I have it in my head you work for Lockheed Martin. I've seen what they put mechanics through. You're a credentialed engineer in my mind.

[Ironnerd]

Your BS senses are quite accurate. The Daisy Splotchmaker was the 2nd paintball marker.

And, yeah... maybe a little self-serving...

[Rusty Brass]

I call BS on Brass Eagle's rather self-serving history there - Nelson was selling the 707 long before 1970.

[Ironnerd]

I'm not an engineer, I'm a mechanic; basically an engineer without discipline or math skills.

[Siress]

2021: Brass Eagle, then faded into obscurity, sold to passionate engineer who elevated the brand above prior heights.

[Ironnerd]

This is told from the Daisy perspective, but it's still interesting.
[ARTICLE]


Another history of paintball with several mentions of Brass Eagle and Daisy (they are intertwined and inseparable)
[ARTICLE]

Brass Eagle Inc. - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on Brass Eagle Inc.
Origins to 1999
[LINK]

Some Highlights
1886 - The Daisy BB gun was invented by and employee of the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company. Plymouth Iron would eventually stop making windmills in favor of BB guns.

1970 - Daisy introduces the 2nd paintball marker, the Splotchmarker

1986 - Aldo Perrone develops the "Model 68" paintball marker. This would become the first Brass Eagle marker (although at the time, the company was called War Game Airgun Supply).

1987 - War Game Airgun Supply becomes Brass Eagle

• Brass Eagle introduces the Eagle semi-auto marker
• Action Pursuit Games magazine: High-Tech Paintguns; Will They Change the Sport? (Spoiler... yes)

1988 - Brass Eagle introduces the Ninja and Nightmare pump markers

• Action Pursuit Games magazine, February, 1988, Ninja Model 68
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, April, 1988, Nightmare Model 68
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, October 1988, Tips From Gramps & Grizzly in Tuning the Nightmare Line

1989 - Brass Eagle introduces the Cobra pump marker, Barracuda and Jaguar dual action markers, and Golden Eagle semi-auto marker

• Paint Check magazine article, September, 1989, King Cobra
• Paint Check magazine article, November, 1989, Jaguar & Barracuda
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, January 1989, ad for the Brass Eagle Eagle
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, May 1989, Brass Eagle Ad
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, July, 1989, Brass Eagle's New Cobra and King Cobra

1990 - Brass Eagle related articles

• Action Pursuit Games magazine, January, 1990: Brass Eagle: The Paintgun Manufacturer Who Listens
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, January, 1990: Brass Eagle Jaguar and Barracuda Semi-Auto Paintball Guns
• Action Pursuit Games magazine, September, 1990: Brass Eagle Golden Eagle
• Paint Check magazine, September, 1990, Golden Eagle

1991 - Brass Eagle introduces the Poison semi-auto marker

• Paint Check magazine, April, 1991, Pumpless Paintball Mentions Jaguar and Golden Eagle
• Paint Check magazine, November, 1991, The Poison

1992 - Introduction of the Stingray, the 1st Semi Auto paintball marker with an MSRP < $200

• $200 price included 7oz CO₂ tank and a loader.
• Paint Check magazine, December,1992, The Stingray

1993 - Daisy and Brass Eagle begin their partnership

• Action Pursuit Games magazine, multi-page article on the Stingray wherein they shoot the gun with a .22lr and run it over with a truck.
  • Note: I was convinced to purchase a Stingray by this article, and never regretted it.
• Paint Check International magazine, August 1993, Pro-Line Commando kit for the Stingray

1994 - Brass Eagle introduces the Tiger Shark pump marker based (in part) on the successful Stingray

• Neslon based, "Open" class pump

1995 - Brass Eagle introduces the Eagle 68

• Release of Stingray maintenance video (VHS)😎

1996 - Brass Eagle introduces the Raptor semi auto (STBB). [GREEN]

• Action Pursuit Games publishes an article on Stingray Mods
• Brass Eagle begins selling "Z Leader" goggles and masks.

1997 - Daisy Manufacturing changed its corporate title to Brass Eagle Inc, and transfers all its non-paintball related assets, operations, and liabilities to a newly created subsidiary, Daisy Manufacturing Company.

• Brass Eagle becomes the U.S. distributor of the Angel electronic marker form WDP
• Introduction of the Stingray II
• Introduction of the Rainmaker
• Introduction of Brass Eagle introduces Eagle Vision goggles

1998 - Business Week magazine heralded Brass Eagle (yes, Brass [forking] Eagle) as one of its 'Hot Growth' companies.

• The Stingray becomes the first semi-auto paintball gun with an MSRP < $100.

1999 - Brass Eagle acquires CM Support, Inc., a leading manufacturer of paintball accessories including Viewloader

• The Raptor Xtreme [SILVER] replaces the [GREEN] Raptors.

2000 - Brass Eagle acquires JT USA

• Introduction of the Brass Eagle Avenger semi auto (STBB)
  • Also sold as the Viewloader Surge semi auto (STBB)
• JT introduces the Excellerator semi auto (STBB)
• Introduction of Brass Eagle Samurai pump marker
• The Raptor LTD 2000 replaces the Raptor Xtreme
  • This would be the last year for Raptor production

2002 - Introduction of the Brass Eagle Marauder semi-auto (Illustrator)

2003 - Brass Eagle introduces the Afterburner semi auto (STBB)

• Brass Eagle merges with K2
• Brass Eagle issues a statement regarding the "Hunting for Bambi" business in Las Vegas, NV
  • "Playing paintball nude may result in significant bodily injury"

2004 - Brass Eagle introduces the Liberator/Striker/Raider plastic bodied semi-auto (STBB)

• Introduction of the Brass Eagle Blade Turbo pump marker

2006 - Introduction of the Brass Eagle Explorer (a re-bodied Liberator)

• Introduction of the Saber Twin Turbo pump marker
  • Called "Twin Turbo" because it was powered by two 12g's

2007 - K2 sells Brass Eagle, JT, Viewloader and WGP to the Jarden Corporation

• Brass Eagle changes its name to JT. 😣

2008 - Introduction of the Brass Eagle T-storm / JT Outkast Semi-auto markers (STBB)

• Brass Eagle's web page closes
  • Although there are later records in the Wayback Machine, they list the catalogue from 2008 indicating the web site was no longer being maintained.

2010 - KEE industries purchase Brass Eagle, JT, and Viewloader from Jarden

• Introduction of the Brass Eagle Cybrid semi-auto marker (STBB)
  • Despite the name, the Cybrid was not electronic.

20?? - KORE Outdoor, Inc. (formerly G.I. Sportz) group purchases Brass Eagle, JT, and Viewloader (and apparently Spyder, Tippmann, Empire, and Vforce)

Note: it is difficult to get the introduction dates for some markers, so where possible I use the copyright from the users manual (if available). If you have more info, please let me know so I can update.