A history of Brass Eagle

[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.

[Siress]

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

[Ironnerd]

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

[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.

[Rusty Brass]

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

[Ironnerd]

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

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

[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]

[Ironnerd]

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

[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]

Posted.

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

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

The rainmaker was released 97 (maybe 98).

Thank you for the write up

[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.

[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!
Things do start to get a little crazy after 2000 with BE, JT, and VL all making markers. It is also really hard to find dates for these markers.

[ATBen]

Awesome, as fellow Canuck it's always great to hear about how humble beginnings and a pretty darn good pump marker manufacturer sold out to corporate America and went on to sell millions of crappy guns. Guns that kid's like me used until the broke the next month, forcing me to buy a PMI Piranha, which was engineered to break in exactly 2 months, forcing me to buy a Tippmann.

I still use my King Cobra (with Mississauga mfct stamp) from time to time.

One question, weren't K2 and Kee the same company? And did they buy WGP too? I'm guessing that's why the Resi Cocker was branded under Empire?

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

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

[glaman5266]

No, K2 & KEE Action Sports are different. BE/JT/VL/WGP changed hands multiple times. I forgot about Jarden to be honest, lol.

I believe KEE bought them after they acquired National Paintball Supply. Then GI acquired the whole thing. Then POOF! Obscurity.

Cobras are great markers. Had one for a number of years, but only seldom used it. Was a lot of fun when I did, though.

[Meleager7]

I bought a King Cobra pump , brand new off the wall, at that Mississauga storefront

[glaman5266]

^^^ Very nice!

[Axel]

Nice. Stickied!

[Ironnerd]

Mui-Domo, Axel-san.

[Siress]

Paging The Inflicted for additional knowledge.

[The Inflicted]

Paging The Inflicted for additional knowledge.

Not much clever to add here, except that the Stingray was both the first semi-auto to be sold for less than $200, and also 5 years later the first to be sold for under $100.

Both it and the Tigershark took major styling cues from the Kimel AP-9 machine pistol.

[Ironnerd]

Hey! Good point on the sub-100 thing.
I didn't know about the Kimel, but now that I look... WOW! Major design queues indeed.

Thank-you.

[Brokeass_baller]

Wow. I had never heard of the AP-9 before. The inspiration is inarguable. Excellent info.

[dartamon]

Remember that Brass Eagle was publicly traded under the XTRM ticker. You may find some information from their filings.

Viewloader Genesis came out at the same time as the BE Avenger, they were the first two in 2000 as the Raptor sunset. The Raptor LTD 2000 was essentially the curtain call for the marker. JT Excellerator came out next year, but it's tough because they had multiple rapidly evolving versions.Rainmaker were also discontinued in 2000 IIRC. The whole millenium thing had a big impact on marketing.

[Ironnerd]

Found these Brass Eagle videos YouTube

[Brokeass_baller]

I used to love these. Watched them all the time on the old internet. Lol

[dartamon]

So what happened to it post-2006? The Aegis line just kind of exploded into a thousand offerings, but apparently there was another Raptor - a pump? What was the last marker that BE made and when?

[Ironnerd]

So what happened to it post-2006? The Aegis line just kind of exploded into a thousand offerings, but apparently there was another Raptor - a pump? What was the last marker that BE made and when?

I can't freaking find anything... It's like BE got sucked into a vortex or something.

I'll keep poking around though. Ya never know...

[The Inflicted]

So what happened to it post-2006? The Aegis line just kind of exploded into a thousand offerings, but apparently there was another Raptor - a pump? What was the last marker that BE made and when?

I'm not sure what the last gun marketed under the "Brass Eagle" name was but what happened was that the company had acquired a number of more prestigious brands (viewloader, JT, WGP, etc.) and realized that its own brand name was somewhat poisonous in the mind of most players. So, you ended up with guns like the JT ER2 or DL-9 which clearly shared Brass Eagle (and Kingman) design DNA but were sold as JT products.

My guesses as to the last Brass Eagle guns to still carry the name might be the Talon Ghost II from 2007.

[MrBarraclough]

"Poisonous" is very apt. I've never owned or used any BE products, but many in my age cohort did back in the 90s (I'm 39). I tend to think of everything Brass Eagle made from the Daisy acquisition onwards as mass-produced, cheap junk. I remember poring over the ads in APG as a teenager and dreaming of the day that paintball would become big and mainstream enough that I could just walk into a local store and buy gear off the shelf. BE made that dream a reality, but in the worst way, filling Walmart shelves with clamshell-packaged plastic junk. Most of it would never stand up to use actually playing paintball; it's real use seemed to be vandalism, shooting mailboxes and street signs and neighbors' cats. As someone who had really taken the "Be an ambassador for the sport" message to heart, I resented BE for fueling a rash of paintball misuse that made us all look bad and fueled calls for local bans.

The only goggle I've ever seen crack from a hit while playing was this late 90s BE model with this huge bubble lens. I shot my friend from well more than 10 feet in the back corner of that lens and the whole thing spiderwebbed. I've never seen polycarbonate do that.

Brass Eagle = plastic imitations of real paintball markers is an association that I doubt I'll ever get out of my head.