HomeClassic Paintball ScansAiring up and Shooting a Termite Gun Pump c.1989

Airing up and Shooting a Termite Gun Pump c.1989

Back in July / August of 2015, after our Summer pump game in Northern California, I decided to air up and try to shoot this Termite / Buzzard gun.

A Termite Gun, likely built in late 1988 to spring 1989.
A Termite Gun, likely built in late 1988 to spring 1989.

I bought this Termite in November of 2014, from a seller in the San Fernando valley (north of Los Angeles). I was really hoping the seller could inform me on some of this pump’s history, but they didn’t know any details and couldn’t shed any light on the previous owner. They did own a small paintball store at one time (I couldn’t find my notes on the name unfortunately).

Spring 1989 article on the Buzzard gun, named after Jay "The Old Buzzard" Jackson.
Spring 1989 article on the Buzzard gun, scanned from “Paintball,” named after Jay “The Old Buzzard” Jackson.

My best guess for date on this Termite is based off two factors.
1. The new product advertisement that appeared in the Spring edition of “Paintball” magazine. It’s nearly identical but the pump on the Termite / Buzzard in the ad uses welded pump arms, and uses the standard nelson valve body spacing instead of Earon’s Carter Machine valve body spacing. To be published around March, April May the photo and article would need to be prepared December, January or February.
And I would imagine that by summer of 1989, Termite / Buzzard guns were being built by Earon Carter and were no longer using the standard Nelson Valve spacing, but instead Earon’s spacing which was shared by his comp guns.

Rick "RJ" Taylor's Termite, which he received in the spring of 1989 after his original Termite was stolen.
Rick “RJ” Taylor’s Termite, which he received in the spring of 1989 after his original Termite was stolen. Now in the safe keeping of Jessica Sparks.

2. Rick Taylor, of the Nashville Ridgerunners, received a Termite very similar to this in the Spring of 1989, after his original Termite gun was stolen. This would indicate that the pictured Termite in the videos would be late 1988 to spring of 1989.
More on Rick’s Termites in upcoming articles.

Left side view of the Termite Gun used in these videos.
Left side view of the Termite Gun used in these videos.

The pictured Termite would have likely been sold just as Rob “Termite” Smith and Earon Carter changed the name of this pump to The Buzzard Gun, to honor their fallen friend, Jay “The Buzzard” Jackson, of Havoc and Who Are Those Guys and that Gal? Mercenary Service.

On this Termite, the body is a bull barrel unibody, with a 1 inch outer diameter. It does not have a retained spring to push the pump forward.

I received it without the pump handle and until I can find an accurate delrin or aluminum pump I’ve set it up with a Taso Stock Gun pump handle.

Front of Who Are Those Guys Mercenary Service? shirt that came from Tim Schloss.
Front of Who Are Those Guys Mercenary Service? shirt that came from Tim Schloss.
Close up crop on back side of "Who Are Those Guys?" shirt logo.
Close up crop on back side of “Who Are Those Guys?” shirt logo.

One strange modification on this Termite Gun Pump is that there is a copper piece of 1 inch pipe placed over the WGP drop out valve body changer. I’m not totally sure why this cover was placed over the drop out except that maybe the previous owner was using this Termite during the Stock Resurgence in 1992-1994 and for some reason a drop out changer was interpreted as not proper stock? But having a direct feed would negate the stock class aspect anyways so I’m really not sure.

Back of Who Are Those Guys Mercenary Service? shirt that came from Tim Schloss.
Back of Who Are Those Guys Mercenary Service? shirt that came from Tim Schloss.
Close up crop on back side of "Who Are Those Guys?" shirt logo.
Close up crop on back side of “Who Are Those Guys?” shirt logo.

And the shirt I’m wearing in the first video came from Tim Schloss, who received it from John Barber, of Wolf Pack and Who Are Those Guys and that Gal? Mercenary Service (probably 1988 or 1989?). It’s stained from being on display in Tim’s shop for many years.

After fixing the cup seal I make another attempt at shooting it.  This time it does okay but the large bore of the barrel and the old junky paint I’m using isn’t too impressive.

Front side of Nitro Duck / Paintball Mania Supplies / Traditional Adventure Gear pullover.
Front side of Nitro Duck / Paintball Mania Supplies / Traditional Adventure Gear pullover.
Back of Nitro Duck / Paintball Mania Supplies / Traditional Adventure Gear pullover.
Back of Nitro Duck / Paintball Mania Supplies / Traditional Adventure Gear pullover.

In this second segment I’m wearing ReVents goggles, which are a Flex frame on a Vents lower. The red, yellow and black pullover was made by Nitro Duck and PMS’ Traditional Adventure Gear brand.

Find more on the history of the Termite gun at:
https://paintballhistory.com/kevin-donaldson-captain-of-the-new-york-master-blasters-on-the-termite-gun-and-the-widowmakers

And more on the Termite Gun at:
https://paintballhistory.com/tag/termite

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