Um, well this is cool

[iamthelazerviking]

So awesome. And I love that he collects AMC Eagles.

[boomersruckus]

Grendel, Thanks so much for providing the feedback you have. I am now on a quest to learn about the black ghost.
All of these markers are pretty cool, I love the sniper and cocker. I actually have a cocker pump build from scratch in raw aluminum, a stock 02 vert feed, and a red to silver evo. I wont be able to work on these for a few weeks because I am moving back to Texas for work, but I will document the journey if anyone is interested.

[Axel]

I was not aware that any of the Black Ghosts were actually marked "Black Ghost".

The term "museum quality" gets thrown around too much, but that gun truly deserves to be on display somewhere. bacci paintball might be interested in doing a write-up for paintballhistory.com

[boomersruckus]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Im 100% willing to do something like this. Not sure how to proceed though.

[Grendel]

Dan baccipaintball would be a great place to start hopefully Dan will chime in since the summoning spell has been cast

https://baccipaintball.com/

[Ragu310]

Very nice opportunity! The Black / Blue pistol is an Air Force Trainer or AFT. Those are neat. I have one in black and I've only ever seen all black ones so that looks rare.

[OpusX]

Epic! You were chosen as the new keeper. Making MCB your first stop shows Fred was wise in his choice. Very cool.

[bacci paintball]

Awesome early 1990s collection. I don't have any details on Mark Stiffler. He must have been good friends with Colin Thompson and Russell Maynard were working out of the San Diego area at Paintball Connection / Lapco at this time. Russell was involved in the IPPA.
Russell also worked for Bud occasionally so he likely assembled the Sniper for Mark and engraved it for him.
Russell was likely working at Borderlands or Camp Pendleton (maybe both). Maynard passed away prior to 2014 and Colin passed away in 2014. Stiffler but have been a close friend of both and probably Jessica Sparks would have some great stories about these markers. The Apex is like the Military Trainer model. Drum has one similar I think.

I remember seeing a similar AFT somewhere. Not sure if it was in a magazine or in a video. I looked at Mike's video of the Nashville 1994 trade show and while you can see a similar splashed AFT it's not the variation pictured:

https://youtu.be/fvAVW3ETBIk?t=335

Good question about the black ghost serials. Hard to image they made 75 black ghosts since they pop up so infrequently.

Any cool accessories or patches on camos?

[Grendel]

Maybe the SN 75 is related to the Custom Paintball Gun by Colin on the drivers side of the frame. I have a friend who inherited Dennis Day's custom Grey Ghost made by Colin. If he still has it I will get him to look at and take pictures of the marking's on Dennis's marker.

[Chuck E Ducky]

My buddy has a green one. He ordered it new that way apparently and never really used it so it’s mint. Said I can have it but just haven’t hooked up with him to get it yet. I don’t think it says green ghost tho lol

[boomersruckus]

Fred, the guy who gave me this haul is keeping the patches. I imagine they remind him of the good Ole days. I can take more pics of anything yall want but only for a few more days. I am moving to Texas and have them all boxed up and safe with the rest of my paintball gear....and they will be driving with me.....I don't trust movers.

[bacci paintball]

Definitely snap a pic of the patches / camos if possible. Would love to see them. And great guns!

[boomersruckus]

OK as for the guns... My plan is to get each of them up and running again while maintaining everything as original as possible. In terms of rarity for the black ghost.....should I even play with it or is it something to just be admired?

[Chuck E Ducky]

Nothing Is to rare not to use. Use it 100%

[Grendel]

Take care of it but play the hell out of it that is what is meant for anyways.

[boomersruckus]

Just replaced the batteries in the red dots on a few of these markers. The ADCO Mirage on the Apex Elite military trainer works as well as one of the Aimpoint 2000's on the USI Eliminator. Pretty cool. I am gonna tinker with the other Aimpoint 2000 and see if I can get it back to life.

[Painthappy]

This is all great stuff! Take good care of them and show them off often!

[Psycho91]

I want an aft now lol

[Chuck E Ducky]

lol I never thought about getting one until I seen the fancy pants Ano one. Has anyone ever seen another like it? I’m
Trying to figure out if it’s a one off or they did some fancy Ano runs. Is there a red and black one like that red and black sponge Ano mag. This is the real question I want answered.

[scottieb]

In my nearly 30 years in this sport, I've not seen one with that anno.

[boomersruckus]

Funny how things work out. I didnt ever imagine Fred dumping off these markers to me. Heck, other than the sniper and early cocker the only ever marker he talked about was a brand new in box 68 special he has never used. Fred is in his 70's now and doesnt hear as well as he once did I would imagine and from time to time he repeats himself. I have heard the 68 special story about a dozen times over the years and each time he tells me he is super proud. "It even comes with this cool patch". He has about 40 or so pro carbines from when he used to run a field here somewhere in Maryland. I showed him my Carbon Mask and he about fell out of his chair. I got the fan that goes with it and was telling him how at ION when it was between 80 and 90 degrees with off and on rain this year, even then it wasnt fogging. He loved it and told me that back when they were getting started playing, masks were a set of safety goggles from science lab. Things have come a long way. He ripped off a string from my CS2 and was blown away but he really loved the Emek. Imagine that.

[THE SHOOTIST]

. He loved it and told me that back when they were getting started playing, masks were a set of safety goggles from science lab. . Imagine that.

Speed Stick on your Forehead. Don't laugh, it worked.

[Grendel]

Yup, I used to carry a bottle of Mitchum unscented roll on antiperspirants in my bag. Before playing you would put a little across your forehead and across you upper cheeks to keep the perspiration down while playing. I continued to carry it into the early 2000s, it works.