Smith & Wesson Targets New Name: American Outdoor Brands Corp.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. said Monday that it will seek to change its corporate name to American Outdoor Brands Corp. The gunmaker will hold a shareholder vote to approve the new name, which it says better reflects the company's additional holdings outside firearms. "We believe the name 'American Outdoor Brands Corporation' will better reflect our family of brands, our broad range of product offerings, and our plan to continue building upon our portfolio of strong American brands," Chief Executive James Debney said in Monday's announcement. Smith & Wesson's stock ticker would also change, from SWHC to AOBC. Smith & Wesson, which would continue as a brand name, is named for company founders Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, who founded the company in 1852 and developed important revolver technology.