Smith & Wesson didn’t change the name of the branch of their corporation that manufactures guns. They changed the name of the holding company that owns S & W along with Schrade Knives and several other outdoor equipment manufacturers.

From Range 365:  http://www.range365.com/smith-wesson-to-change-its-name

By David Maccar
November 8, 2016

In a corporate sense, the name Smith & Wesson will be no more after 164 years of business. The gun maker is changing its company name to American Outdoors Brands, according to this story from CNNMoney and an SEC filing released Monday.

The story says the move is a surprise in the financial world, just as it is in the gun world, considering S&W is such a well-known brand. With company’s quarterly sales up 40 percent in September, the gun maker will ask its shareholders to approve the move next month, according to this story from The Wall Street Journal.

But the name “Smith & Wesson” will still be on gun boxes and emblazoned on gun frames. The corporate name change is meant to signal the company’s expansion to areas beyond firearms manufacture, which is has been doing since 1852.

From the CNN story:

“According to Smith & Wesson, the renaming will not affect the gun’s brand, which will remain untouched. But it does reflect a major shift in the company’s priorities.”

“‘We believe that changing our corporate name to American Outdoor Brands Corporation will better reflect our strategic focus on the shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor markets,’” Smith & Wesson said in a statement. ‘Changing our name is not intended to diminish the importance of the Smith & Wesson brand in our portfolio. Rather, our new name will represent a broader and more inclusive platform.’”