Smith & Wesson opens history museum

Shooting Industry, Sept, 2005

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. officially opened the Smith & Wesson Museum in June with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Springfield, Mass. headquarters.

The museum houses a variety of artifacts and photographs gathered from collections owned by the company and on loan to the museum from the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, a unit of the Springfield Museums; Cinema Weaponry; private collectors, including long-time company historian Roy Jinks; and former and current employees. Several items belong to the Smith & Wesson Historic Preservation Charitable Trust, which was created by Smith & Wesson to insure the preservation of its collection.

"We are very proud of our rich heritage that spans 153 years and several generations of families, many of whom are still part of Smith & Wesson today. The creation of the trust and the establishment of the Smith & Wesson Museum will preserve that heritage for our employees, our Club 1852 members and the public. It will also serve as an important account of the company's history and its contributions to our community and our country," said Michael Golden, Smith & Wesson president.

The museum's collection includes:

* Rifles manufactured by D.B. Wesson prior to the company's creation.

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* A collection of Smith & Wesson's first firearms, many used in the Old West.

* Several historic, prototype firearms, designed in the mid-to-late 1800s.

* Revolvers engraved by Tiffany & Co. for global exhibitions, circa 1893-1900.

* A series of "top-break" firearms, hinged revolvers developed prior to the Civil War.

* A variety of Smith & Wesson revolvers from World War I and II.

* The .44 Magnum used by Clint East-wood in the "Dirty Harry" films.

* A step-by-step model showing construction of the company's new Model 500 Magnum.

The museum is available for group tours by appointment only. For information, call 1-800-331-0852, Ext. 259.