SPRINGFIELD, Mass., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (Amex: SWB), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 153-year company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced that it will officially open the Smith & Wesson Museum today with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Springfield, Massachusetts headquarters.

The museum will house 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.

Smith & Wesson President and CEO, Michael Golden, said, "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."

     Highlights from the museum collection include:
     *  Rifles manufactured by D.B. Wesson prior to the company's creation
     *  A collection of Smith & Wesson's first firearms, many used in the "Old
        West"
     *  Several historic, prototype firearms, designed in the mid-to-late
        1800's
     *  Revolvers engraved by Tiffany & Company(TM) 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 Wars I and II
     *  The .44 Magnum used by Clint Eastwood in the famed "Dirty Harry" films
     *  A step-by-step model showing construction of the company's new Model
        500 Magnum

The museum will be available for group tours scheduled in advance, by appointment only. For information contact: 1-800-331-0852, Ext. 259.

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., through its subsidiary Smith & Wesson Corp., is one of the world's largest manufacturers of quality firearms, law enforcement products and firearm safety/security products. The Company also provides shooter protection, knives, apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America's longest-running firearms training facility for America's public servants. For more information, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.

     Contact:
     Tom Taylor, VP Marketing
     Smith & Wesson Corp.
     413-747-3372

SOURCE  Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
    -0-                             06/16/2005
    /CONTACT:  Tom Taylor, VP Marketing of Smith & Wesson Corp.,
+1-413-747-3372/
    /Web site:  http://www.smith-wesson.com /
    (SWB)

CO:  Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.; Smith & Wesson Corp.
ST:  Massachusetts
IN:  SPT ENT
SU:

CT
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