Smith & Wesson Sets Sights on Clothes, Home Decor

Reuters via Iwon.com ^ | Oct 14, 10:51 am ET | Reuters

[KneelBeforeZod]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Looking for just the right duvet cover to match your .38 Super?

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., parent of the legendary 151-year-old handgun maker, is branching out into home decor, clothing and jewelry with a new catalog, just in time for Christmas.

The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company hopes the catalog, called Crossings by Smith & Wesson, will expand the gun maker's consumer base and product offerings. The company already sells hunting gear such as binoculars and scopes, and has licensing deals for products ranging from bicycles to golf clubs.

The move comes after handgun manufacturers, hit by dozens of lawsuits brought by U.S. cities seeking to hold gun makers responsible for gun violence, have cut back on production. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said there were 623,070 pistols manufactured in 2001, down sharply from the 962,901 made in 2000.

The Crossings catalog features cowgirl pillows inset with beaded studs and faux pearls by New York textile artist Judi Boisson, silk blouses with handmade turquoise and sterling silver buttons, and bedding in a "rustic yet romantic print."

[jim_trent]

Not really new. I can remember buying a Browning 10-speed bicycle quite a few years ago. Yes, it was the same Browning that makes guns. They also had clothing with their logo for sale.

[Between the Lines]

Interiors by Smith & Wesson. Has a nice ring to it.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

They use to make a very decent boot knife.

[Between the Lines]

Here is a little more in-depth story from the Washington Times:

Smith & Wesson eyes home market.

[KneelBeforeZod]

kevlar wallpaper and drapes?