On Monday, a Forbes article caused some consternation in the firearms community by reporting that Smith & Wesson would be changing its name. However, the article confused Smith & Wesson (the gun maker) with Smith & Wesson (the holding company).
Shaun Phelan, director of sales and marketing for S&W, provided some clarity via email:
“Yesterday Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., which was formed in 2002, announced that it will be changing its name to American Outdoor Brands. We want to make sure that our fans understand that Smith & Wesson Corp., the iconic and treasured firearms company with legendary roots back to 1852, will not change its name. Smith & Wesson Corp. (the company) and its firearms will remain exactly as they are today. Smith & Wesson is one of the greatest American brands of all time, and we wholly intend that it will remain so.”
Building upon rapid growth resulting from record gun sales, S&W has been aggressively diversifying into other outdoor market segments. The holding company for all its interests will be renamed American Outdoor Brands—which will include the iconic Smith & Wesson brand of firearms.
