Bud Orr Sniper #21 - Bud's personal gun rebuilt



I need to add that this marker is NOT for sale...and will never be.









1987 Bud Orr Sniper 1 #21, Bud Orr's Personal Paintgun

by Chuck Link.





Sniper 21 in box upon arrival.





A few months ago, I was offered and accepted the opportunity to be the “caretaker” of sorts for a piece of paintball history….one of the earliest Bud Orr Snipers ever made. I feel more that my role is as a curator, since this, I believe is more of a museum piece that rightfully has a place in the history and evolution of paintball markers.





Left side view of Sniper 1 #21.





This marker came to me after being put in storage almost 30 years ago, after it saw its last trip to the field. It was received by me, in field used condition, just like the last day that Bud played with it, set up constant air, or “CA,” style, with a 10 ounce thermo valve C02 tank mounted to the stock.





Sniper 1 #21 Wire stock.





Sniper 1 #21 History c.1987



Before the restoration details, a little history on this particular marker is in order. The following details and information came from direct conversations with its creator, Bud Orr.





Headhunters at Sat Cong Village Hawaiian shirt day c.1987? Bud Orr back row, 2nd from left.





This marker was from the first batch of Snipers ever made by Bud, and was one of 10 or 12 he said he made and put in the hands of some of his fellow Sat Cong Headhunters teammates. Bud’s first batch of Sniper 1 pump paintguns were “prototypes” of a sort.







Un even wear on body. Dark area on body was covered during use by Sat Cong Village brass sticker plate.





The following batches of Snipers that Bud Orr produced would evolve and change based the abuse these early markers saw in the hands of the experienced players and their feedback. This particular marker was one that Bud Orr himself used extensively to put its through its paces. Bud recalled that WGP Sniper 1, serial 21 was made in early 1987 and used frequently that year.





Replacement brass sticker plate, identical to original, created for restoration.





It’s not a stretch to say that many features would change in the upcoming batches of Sniper 1s as a result of play with this marker and a few others by Bud and his fellow Headhunter teammates. And these changes would make their way to Sniper 1s sold not only at Bud’s Sat Cong Village Shack, but at various paintball retailers around the country.



Features c.1987-1988

Now to take a look at some of the details and features of this particular marker that make it a unique piece of paintball history. Many things on this Sniper will be recognizable to anyone familiar with the Bud Orr Sniper 1, but a few features will stand out as unique, even to players who’ve used Bud’s markers for decades.





Brass SCV sticker applied to side of body.





The most apparent detail of this Sniper 1, is the odd color. According to Bud, the first batch of approximately 50 Sniper bodies were anodized at the same time. The ano was to be the standard black the Sniper became known for, and initially, the color seemed correct. Unfortunately, over a short period of time, exposure to the air, atmosphere, or elements turned these Sniper 1s a peculiar color, which Bud dubbed the “Root Beer” ano.



Subsequent anodizing jobs on Bud’s markers were corrected, and turned out the familiar black finish, which sometimes faded to a slightly blued hue as they aged.

Another interesting finishing feature on the left side of the body, is a darker rectangular area that didn’t fade evently with the rest of the marker. This rectangle is where the Worr Game Products / Sat Cong Village sticker was. No sticker remained when I received it this paintgun, but it has since been replaced with a reproduction sticker that is period correct.





Removal of vertical asa reveals serial of #21 on my Sniper 1 body!





At first glance, the body did not appear to be stamped with a serial number, but upon further inspection, “21” was found in the standard location. The flanged part of the ASA that overlaps the side of the body covered this stamp, and only became clearly visible with the asa removed.





Top view of Vertical asa from Sniper 1 #21.





The ASA itself is milled raw aluminum that was painted black and was likely added after the body was anodized. Most of the paint on the asa has since flaked/worn off.





Gas pass through (banjo hole) in Sniper 21.





Sniper 21 uses the “round” ASA shape. Many incorrectly believe that earliest Snipers had the square ASA design, but the earliest models actually came from Bud with the pictured round design. This round design changed to the square asa block for the following batches of Snipers, and then eventually went back to the round design. What sequences of serial numbers that would have the round asa I do not know, but I do know, from talking to Bud, that this round asa on this Sniper is an original component and has always been on this body.





Bottom of body with rootbeer finish and even some black anodizing remaining.





This ASA does not have the pin valve depressor lug in it, and instead uses a bolt that was drilled through the center to attach the ASA to the body. A C02 washer (similar to what a bulk co2 tank would use) is needed inside the ASA to seal against the air hose fitting that screws into it. A C02 washer and thread tape on the air fitting prevented air leakage.







Bud Orr's Patent Pending Stamp on base of body on Sniper 1 #21.



Stamped on the underside of the body where the ASA attaches is “Pat Pend,” short for Patent Pending. Also on the underside of the body, you can see a much darker “black” streak, where the grip frame attaches. This is the original black anodizing color which eventually turned the Root Beer color on the exposed areas. The black anodizing on the underside of the body, where the grip frame attached, likely remained black because it was not exposed to the air/elements.





Feed port weld on sniper 1 #21.





The feedneck is welded on each side, with a slight air through port on the top and bottom. This is the case on most early Snipers until Bud began press fitting the feednecks later on.





Auto Trigger notch on Sniper 1 #21.





The left side of the body was milled for an auto trigger set up sometime after being anodized. The raw aluminum in the auto trigger area was painted black at some point to hide/protect it, though the paint had mostly flaked/worn off when I received it.





Bare body and pump rod on Sniper 1 #21.





The pump guide rod on the front of the body is uniformly round as on most early Snipers. Not sure when it changed, but my Sniper 1, serial number 746, has a flat area factory milled into the guide rod on each side so it could be turned with a wrench, without marring the rod during disassembly.





Bolt and back block attached.





The bolt appears to be the standard one hole / three o-ring Sniper 1 style, however there is a small roll pin at the very back top.





Aligning bolt pin with back block cut will mean bolt inlet hole is facing valve.





This pin slides into a milled out slot in the top of the back block, keeping the back block and bolt aligned properly,and preventing the bolt from being inserted upside down. To my knowledge, this is not a feature that was found on many Sniper 1 models, I know my Sniper 1 #746 does not have it.





Bolt assembly with back block alignment cotter pin from WGP Sniper 1 #21.





When screwing the bolt knob/screw back through the back block into the back of the bolt, it could sometimes turn if you were not careful….this roll pin and slot feature on this particular marker prevented that….pretty cool. I've been working on a project for a couple of months that I think many of you here will appreciate and enjoy.....Bud Orr Sniper #21, Bud's personal original marker. Special thanks to Daniel Bacci.I need to add that this marker is NOT for sale...and will never be.by Chuck Link.Sniper 21 in box upon arrival.A few months ago, I was offered and accepted the opportunity to be the “caretaker” of sorts for a piece of paintball history….one of the earliest Bud Orr Snipers ever made. I feel more that my role is as a curator, since this, I believe is more of a museum piece that rightfully has a place in the history and evolution of paintball markers.Left side view of Sniper 1 #21.This marker came to me after being put in storage almost 30 years ago, after it saw its last trip to the field. It was received by me, in field used condition, just like the last day that Bud played with it, set up constant air, or “CA,” style, with a 10 ounce thermo valve C02 tank mounted to the stock.Sniper 1 #21 Wire stock.Before the restoration details, a little history on this particular marker is in order. The following details and information came from direct conversations with its creator, Bud Orr.Headhunters at Sat Cong Village Hawaiian shirt day c.1987? Bud Orr back row, 2nd from left.This marker was from the first batch of Snipers ever made by Bud, and was one of 10 or 12 he said he made and put in the hands of some of his fellow Sat Cong Headhunters teammates. Bud’s first batch of Sniper 1 pump paintguns were “prototypes” of a sort.Un even wear on body. Dark area on body was covered during use by Sat Cong Village brass sticker plate.The following batches of Snipers that Bud Orr produced would evolve and change based the abuse these early markers saw in the hands of the experienced players and their feedback. This particular marker was one that Bud Orr himself used extensively to put its through its paces. Bud recalled that WGP Sniper 1, serial 21 was made in early 1987 and used frequently that year.Replacement brass sticker plate, identical to original, created for restoration.It’s not a stretch to say that many features would change in the upcoming batches of Sniper 1s as a result of play with this marker and a few others by Bud and his fellow Headhunter teammates. And these changes would make their way to Sniper 1s sold not only at Bud’s Sat Cong Village Shack, but at various paintball retailers around the country.Now to take a look at some of the details and features of this particular marker that make it a unique piece of paintball history. Many things on this Sniper will be recognizable to anyone familiar with the Bud Orr Sniper 1, but a few features will stand out as unique, even to players who’ve used Bud’s markers for decades.Brass SCV sticker applied to side of body.The most apparent detail of this Sniper 1, is the odd color. According to Bud, the first batch of approximately 50 Sniper bodies were anodized at the same time. The ano was to be the standard black the Sniper became known for, and initially, the color seemed correct. Unfortunately, over a short period of time, exposure to the air, atmosphere, or elements turned these Sniper 1s a peculiar color, which Bud dubbed the “Root Beer” ano.Subsequent anodizing jobs on Bud’s markers were corrected, and turned out the familiar black finish, which sometimes faded to a slightly blued hue as they aged.Another interesting finishing feature on the left side of the body, is a darker rectangular area that didn’t fade evently with the rest of the marker. This rectangle is where the Worr Game Products / Sat Cong Village sticker was. No sticker remained when I received it this paintgun, but it has since been replaced with a reproduction sticker that is period correct.Removal of vertical asa reveals serial of #21 on my Sniper 1 body!At first glance, the body did not appear to be stamped with a serial number, but upon further inspection, “21” was found in the standard location. The flanged part of the ASA that overlaps the side of the body covered this stamp, and only became clearly visible with the asa removed.Top view of Vertical asa from Sniper 1 #21.The ASA itself is milled raw aluminum that was painted black and was likely added after the body was anodized. Most of the paint on the asa has since flaked/worn off.Gas pass through (banjo hole) in Sniper 21.Sniper 21 uses the “round” ASA shape. Many incorrectly believe that earliest Snipers had the square ASA design, but the earliest models actually came from Bud with the pictured round design. This round design changed to the square asa block for the following batches of Snipers, and then eventually went back to the round design. What sequences of serial numbers that would have the round asa I do not know, but I do know, from talking to Bud, that this round asa on this Sniper is an original component and has always been on this body.Bottom of body with rootbeer finish and even some black anodizing remaining.This ASA does not have the pin valve depressor lug in it, and instead uses a bolt that was drilled through the center to attach the ASA to the body. A C02 washer (similar to what a bulk co2 tank would use) is needed inside the ASA to seal against the air hose fitting that screws into it. A C02 washer and thread tape on the air fitting prevented air leakage.Bud Orr's Patent Pending Stamp on base of body on Sniper 1 #21.Stamped on the underside of the body where the ASA attaches is “Pat Pend,” short for Patent Pending. Also on the underside of the body, you can see a much darker “black” streak, where the grip frame attaches. This is the original black anodizing color which eventually turned the Root Beer color on the exposed areas. The black anodizing on the underside of the body, where the grip frame attached, likely remained black because it was not exposed to the air/elements.Feed port weld on sniper 1 #21.The feedneck is welded on each side, with a slight air through port on the top and bottom. This is the case on most early Snipers until Bud began press fitting the feednecks later on.Auto Trigger notch on Sniper 1 #21.The left side of the body was milled for an auto trigger set up sometime after being anodized. The raw aluminum in the auto trigger area was painted black at some point to hide/protect it, though the paint had mostly flaked/worn off when I received it.Bare body and pump rod on Sniper 1 #21.The pump guide rod on the front of the body is uniformly round as on most early Snipers. Not sure when it changed, but my Sniper 1, serial number 746, has a flat area factory milled into the guide rod on each side so it could be turned with a wrench, without marring the rod during disassembly.Bolt and back block attached.The bolt appears to be the standard one hole / three o-ring Sniper 1 style, however there is a small roll pin at the very back top.Aligning bolt pin with back block cut will mean bolt inlet hole is facing valve.This pin slides into a milled out slot in the top of the back block, keeping the back block and bolt aligned properly,and preventing the bolt from being inserted upside down. To my knowledge, this is not a feature that was found on many Sniper 1 models, I know my Sniper 1 #746 does not have it.Bolt assembly with back block alignment cotter pin from WGP Sniper 1 #21.When screwing the bolt knob/screw back through the back block into the back of the bolt, it could sometimes turn if you were not careful….this roll pin and slot feature on this particular marker prevented that….pretty cool. __________________

clinkman