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• Smith & Wesson is one of the oldest and currently the largest gun manufacturer in the United States. The company became famous for its continuing design innovations, particularly with revolvers. It has also developed different types of ammunition, and has close ties with military and law enforcement agencies throughout America.

• Fast Facts

  1. Stock symbol: SWHC
  2. Annual revenue (2007): $295.6 million
  3. Founders: Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson
  4. Year established: 1852
  5. Industry: Firearms and ammunition
  6. Phone: 413-747-3286
  7. Fax: 413-747-3317
  8. HQ: Springfield, Massachusetts
  9. CEO: Michael F. Golden
  10. CFO: John A. Kelly
  11. Staff (as of 2006): 832

• Key Dates

  • 1852: Company founded under the name Volcanic Repeating Arms Company

  • 1856: Smith and Wesson leave Volcanic to produce separate catridge-and-revolver weapons

  • 1861: Outbreak of the American Civil War puts Smith and Wesson weapons in high demand

  • 1964: Company leaves Wesson family control

  • 1987: Purchased by a British company, Tomkins PLC, for $112 million

  • March, 2000: Signed an agreement with the Clinton administration to implement new safety and design standards and limit sale and distribution of their products

  • May 11, 2001: Acquired by the Saf-T-Hammer Corporation for $15 million (assuming an additional $30 million in debts)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Benelli | Beretta | Glock | Heckler & Koch | Remington Arms | Springfield Armory | Walther | Colt 1911 | How to Buy a Gun in New York | How to Safely Store a Gun

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