<P> On May 11, 2001, Saf - T - Hammer Corporation acquired Smith & Wesson Corp. from Tomkins plc for US $15 million, a fraction of the US $112 million originally paid by Tomkins . Saf - T - Hammer assumed US $30 million in debt, bringing the total purchase price to US $45 million . Saf - T - Hammer, a manufacturer of firearms locks and other safety products, purchased the company with the intention of incorporating its line of security products into all Smith & Wesson firearms in compliance with the 2000 agreement . </P> <P> The acquisition of Smith & Wesson was chiefly brokered by Saf - T - Hammer President Bob Scott, who had left Smith & Wesson in 1999 because of a disagreement with Tomkins' policies . After the purchase, Scott became the president of Smith & Wesson to guide the 157 - year - old company back to its former standing in the market . </P> <P> On February 15, 2002, the name of the newly formed entity was changed to Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation . </P> <P> In 2006 Smith & Wesson refocused its marketing on big box retailers, according to Smith & Wesson CEO Mike Golden in a 2008 conference call with investors . </P>

When did smith and wesson change their name