S&W eras of ownership?

T44spl · Jul 23, 2023

Hope this topic is in the correct area of forum. But I've had a lingering question regarding he different eras of S&W ownership from the Wesson family, Bangor Punta, Lear Sieglar, Thompkins etc . What were beginning and cutoff or ending periods, quality, engineering changes identified in each period etc.
I know for instance that the post war years in the 1950's S&W prospered under Carl Hellstrom's leadership, but was this the beginning of the Bangor Punta era or still uner the Wesson family? Moreover the Lear Sieglar years that began in 1980 or so ended the pinned and recessed features.
It's this kind of information that I would hope to find out from our membership. Moderator, if I've posted this inquiry in the wrong place please relocate to the appropriate section of the forum and I apologize for my ignorance. TIA for any assistance

SnidelyWhiplash · Jul 23, 2023

Wikipedia is your friend...Smith & Wesson - Wikipedia

two-bit cowboy · Jul 23, 2023

You're a wee bit off in your timing estimations.

The Wesson family hired the first non-family member as the company president when they appointed Carl Hellstrom to the position after World War II.

When Hellstrom passed away in 1963 Bill Gunn became president.

Bangor Punta bought the company in 1965, although there's been much discussion and not much definitive detail about the exact month BP took control.

S&W designed the L-frame revolvers in 1979 without the barrel pin. Subsequently the company eliminated that feature on all its models.

Lear Seigler bought the company in 1984.

Thompson bought the company in 1987 and sold it some time in or after 2001.

T44spl · Jul 23, 2023

Thanks, for some reason didn't think of googling. I was going by what I left of memory.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jul 23, 2023

CRS is a real thing.

robertrwalsh · Jul 23, 2023

It is my understanding that when Thompkins bought it they didn't even realize that S&W marketed firearms to the general public. I find that hard to believe, but........

kwill1911 · Jul 23, 2023

robertrwalsh said:
It is my understanding that when Thompkins bought it they didn't even realize that S&W marketed firearms to the general public. I find that hard to believe, but........

I find it not just hard, but impossible, to believe. Can you cite a source?

snw19_357 · Jul 23, 2023

Can't cite a source but not really surprising. Lear Siegler bought Bangor Punta because they owned Piper. I bet LSI was surprised when they found out they bought a firearm company too.

kwill1911 · Jul 23, 2023

No, that's not how corporate acquisitions work.

Mike SC Hunter · Jul 23, 2023

So who owns it now..........Safety Hammer?

kwill1911 · Jul 23, 2023

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (the legal name) is an independent, publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ exchange.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jul 23, 2023

Safe-T-Hammer purchased S&W from Thomkins and the new company changed irs name to S&W Holdings.

schutz5 · Jul 24, 2023

two-bit cowboy said:
You're a wee bit off in your timing estimations.

The Wesson family hired the first non-family member as the company president when they appointed Carl Hellstrom to the position after World War II.

When Hellstrom passed away in 1963 Bill Gunn became president.

Bangor Punta bought the company in 1965, although there's been much discussion and not much definitive detail about the exact month BP took control.

S&W designed the L-frame revolvers in 1979 without the barrel pin. Subsequently the company eliminated that feature on all its models.

Lear Seigler bought the company in 1984.

Thompson bought the company in 1987 and sold it some time in or after 2001.

Do you know when in 1984 Lear Seigler bought the company? I own a 1984 revolver. Now I am curious. Thanks!

robertrwalsh · Jul 24, 2023

NO, I can't cite a source. It is just something I sort-of vaguely remember from way back when. That's why I presented it the way I did. Just a little "factoid" of dubious authenticity.

Doc44 · Jul 24, 2023

My records show Bangor Punta sold S&W to Lear Seigler Corporation in 1980. Lear Seigler sold S&W to Forstmann, Little & Company in 1985. It is interesting to note S&W had eighteen presidents from 1963-2019, but only four from 1912-1963. Rotation of that frequency at the chief executive level usually results in hard times for a company.

Bill

two-bit cowboy · Jul 24, 2023

Doc44 said:
... Bangor Punta sold S&W to Lear Seigler Corporation in 1980. Lear Seigler sold S&W to Forstmann, Little & Company in 1985. Bill

I hadn't seen those dates, nor had I heard of the Forstmann, Little & Co. connection. Always nice to update my files. Thanks.

Bill,

Although I found articles earlier in December 1983, here's a New York Times article that discusses the beginning of a Lear Seigler 1984 buyout:

SIEGLER, BANGOR TO MERGE - The New York Times

ps: here's another addition to my post with a complete timeline. I have no clue about the "source" or its accuracy.

Smith & Wesson History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia

kwill1911 · Jul 24, 2023

It's pretty interesting that Tompkins paid ~$115M for the company and dumped it four years later for $15M. We should have taken up a collection and bought it.

SnidelyWhiplash · Jul 24, 2023

When it was announced that Safe-T-Hammer was buying S&W for pennies on the dollar from Thompkins I immediately bought all the Safe-T-Hammer stock I could afford. The stock price was dormant for several months then suddenly it skyrocketed. I waited until I thought it was about to peak then sold it...it kept going up for a while but I still made a killing on the deal.

When the stock came back down I rebought it then sold again when the stock went back up even though not as high as before.

Speculation doesn't always pay off but my hunch then certainly did.

Doc44 · Jul 24, 2023

Bob...I am sure your information is correct. I was using a fact sheet provided to me several years ago.

Bill

Club Gun Fan · Jul 24, 2023

kwill1911 said:
It's pretty interesting that Tompkins paid ~$115M for the company and dumped it four years later for $15M. We should have taken up a collection and bought it.

Kevin
I tried!

S&W eras of ownership?

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