Have you heard this one? Why the name Smith & Wesson has been ditched by its makers

[Gil Boyd]

From the Daily Mail UK Weds November 9th 2016

It is one of the most iconic names in the world made famous by genrations of outlaws and lawmen, both in the American west and hollywood movies.
But Smith & Wesson, whose guns were used by real live villains Jesse James, as well as Clint Eastwood in the 1971 film Dirty Harry is looking ti change its name to American Outdoor Brnads Corporation.
It comes as US gun manufacturers find themselves under pressure from politicians over a series of shootings in the country.
The move marks a dramatic departure from the past for the company which was founded in 1852 by Horace Smith and Daniel B Wesson in Norwish, Connecticut.
The Massachusetts based manufactuere, which supplies guns to Police and Armed Forces around the world, as well as shooting enthusiasts will seek approval to change its name at a shareholder meeting next month. At one point Smith & Wesson was owned by the British firm Tomkins but the group sold it for £100m in 2010.
"We believe the name American Outdoor Brans Corporation will better refelct our family of brands, our broad range of product offerings, and our plan to continue building upon our portfolio of strong American brands" said Chief Executive James Debney.
If shareholders give the green light to its plans the Smith & Wesson name is expected to die on January 1st 164 years after the company founded.

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[30Three]

A perfect example of corporate marketing stupidity!!
Maybe while they are at it we could rename Rolls-Royce "The lovely comfy car company"

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

I understand it's the parent company's name that is changing. The guns will continue as S&W.

[Flying10uk]

I remember, some years ago here in the U.K., The Post Office deciding that it was time to change the name of the mail delivery side of it's business to Consignia. However, management must have had second thoughts on the merits for the chosen name of the Company's title because within about 15 months it was changed again to Royal Mail.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Reminds me of the reformulation of Coke idea. Where do they find these people?

[Gil Boyd]

....................and the millions of pounds spent on the gordy colouring of the British Airways tails, until Margaret Thatcher called them stupid a waste of money and ugly.
Now replaced by the Union Flag and rightly so. The only people making money on all these stupid ill thought out internal ideas are the printers and the paint shops.