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Thompson Center Arms New 2010 Firearms Models
Company Launches New Muzzleloader and Youth .22 Caliber Rifle,
Unveils Unique Bolt-Action and Single Shot Platforms

Thompson Center Arms

Rochester, N.H. --(AmmoLand.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson Company (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC), announced today that it debuted several new models and extensions to the company’s popular line of hunting firearms at the 2010 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show held this week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For 2010, Thompson/Center Arms expanded the T/C Venture family of bolt-action rifles and added two new muzzleloaders and three single-shot firearms to its diverse portfolio of long guns.

Sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the four-day SHOT Show is the largest trade show of its kind in the world. Featuring over 1,800 exhibiting companies, the 32nd annual SHOT Show attracted more than 48,000 industry professionals representing all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.

Among the new Thompson/Center firearms launched at the trade show were:

• IMPACT Muzzleloader – A new lower price-point black powder rifle engineered with Thompson/Center patented features. Specifically designed for durability and operational simplicity, the new muzzleloader is made entirely in the United States and continues Thompson/Center’s longstanding tradition of high quality and accurate firearms.
• HotShot – An easy-to-operate, highly accurate, lightweight single-shot rifle, chambered in .22 LR. The HotShot is an ideal firearm for young and novice shooters alike.
• T/C Venture Predator – A new bolt-action rifle built to answer the calls of predator hunters. The new rifle is built on the Venture platform and features a 22-inch precision barrel, 5R rifling, target grade crown and is guaranteed MOA (Minute of Angle) accurate.
• T/C Venture Rifle in Medium-Action – New Venture rifles available in medium-action calibers. Both affordable and accurate, the T/C Venture now includes chambers for .204, .22-250, .223, .243, 7mm-08, .308 and 30TC.
• NorthWest Explorer™ Muzzleloader – A new black powder rifle designed to comply with hunting regulations in Oregon,
  Washington and Idaho. Made entirely in the United States, the new NorthWest Explorer offers hunters an easy-to-use muzzleloader with exceptional accuracy.
• Encore™ Pro-Hunter Predator Rifle – Capitalizing on the success of the Encore Pro Hunter, the new predator rifle has been designed to give hunters a distinctive advantage. The new rifle features an interchangeable barrel system, patented features, and four different caliber options only available through Thompson/Center.
• Encore™ Pro-Hunter Turkey Shotgun – A new singe-shot shotgun available in 12 or 20-gauge. The new shotgun is designed to chamber 3-inch shells and is easily operated by left and right-handed shooters.

“Throughout its history, Thompson/Center has always been recognized as a premier manufacturer of hunting firearms and accessories,” said Tom Kelly, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson and Thompson/Center Arms. “This year, we have further extended that reputation by offering seven new models, each designed to answer the needs of hunters and shooters. Along with expanding the popular T/C Venture family of bolt-action rifles, we have also introduced two new muzzleloaders that have been specifically engineered to meet consumer demands by addressing both state hunting regulations and affordable pricing. For young shooters, the new HotShot delivers safety, fun and accuracy in a youth rifle modeled after our full-size Pro Hunter. In addition, we have added two new single-shot rifles to the popular Encore Pro Hunter platform.”

Kelly added, “Having listened to our customers through the design process, we are launching new products that deliver the quality and accuracy these discriminating shooters have come to expect from Thompson/Center. In addition, our new offerings include several products specifically designed to deliver that famous Thompson/Center quality at an affordable price point.”

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

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William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s Black Powder Colt Single Action Army “Frontier Six Shooter” Revolver with Factory Case

PREMIERE Firearms Auction December 4th, 5th, & 6th

Buffalo Bill Cody's Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company - -(AmmoLand.com)- This Colt Single Action “Frontier Six Shooter” Revolver and extremely rare factory case was once owned by Buffalo Bill Cody.

The revolver is accompanied by a letter from firearms expert Greg Martin. The letter states that Greg Martin obtained this revolver from Julia Cody’s (William F. Cody’s sister) personal collection of Buffalo Bill artifacts.

The revolver was subsequently sold at auction on March 18, 1988. Also included with the revolver is a Colt factory letter that identifies it as a caliber .44-40 Colt Single Action Army Revolver with blue finish and 7 1/2-inch barrel that was shipped to Hartley & Graham in New York, New York, on October 24, 1882.

The revolver has “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” acid-etched on left side of the barrel in an oval panel. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the elongated block letter address: “COLT’S PT. F. A. MFG Co. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A.” in a single line.

The caliber designation “44″ is stamped on the underside of the barrel in front of the cylinder pin. The left side of the frame is roll-stamped with the Colt “three dates in three lines” patent markings. “44 CF” is stamped on the left front trigger guard bow. The serial number: “775243″ is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, backstrap. The partial serial number, “7234″ is stamped on the side of the cylinder. The inside of the loading gate is stamped with the assembly number “1990″. A “B” sub-inspection mark is stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

The revolver is fitted with a one-piece, varnished grip. The Colt mahogany, American style case is lined with blue felt. The case has three compartments grouped around a central cartridge block drilled for fifty .44-40 W.C.F cartridges.

Condition:
Very good plus. The revolver has traces of original blue with the balance having been lightly cleaned and has a crisp smooth, silver-gray patina. The backstrap has a fine stippled finish, which is contemporary with to the revolver but is not factory work.

The revolver has a hand-made cylinder pin that appears date from the period of use. The backstrap screw is an old replacement. The Martin letter states that the revolver appears to be original with the exception of the cylinder pin and backstrap screw. Grips are good with a small chip on the toe and upper edge at frame and a few minor dings. The faint markings “03/WCP” are stamped on the upper portion of both sides of the grip at the junction of the backstrap and the frame. The significance of these markings is unknown but they may be property or inventory markings associated with the Wild West Show.

The action is tight but the hammer will not hold at half-cock. The case is in good overall condition with a repaired chip above the right hinge and a notch above the key-hole that was apparently used to open the case. The case lining is faded and shows moderate to heavy wear. The lining has compression marks, scattered oil stains and some edge-wear on the case partitions.

This is a solid example of the very desirable 1882 production Colt Frontier Six Shooter revolver with extremely rare Colt Single Action Army factory case that can be traced directly to the sister of one of America’s most famous western figures: Buffalo Bill Cody. ( See RIA Auction for Exact Condition Details)

Auction Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000

Auction Details:
Rock Island Auction Company announces the next Premiere Firearms auction to be held at their facilities in Moline, IL. The huge success of our previous sales proves that people are investing in what they know: firearms are solid investments that hold value through economic downturns.

Investing and collecting opportunities abound at Rock Island’s fantastic Premiere Firearms Auction December 4Th, 5Th, & 6Th. At a time when the stock market changes daily, gun collectors are seeing the worth of their investments.

Hard assets are the place to invest your money and gun values continue to rise. This auction has firearms for every level of collecting and investing from Colts to Winchesters and the hundreds of high quality sporting arms. Rock Island’s continued sell through rate of over 97% proves that items that come to RIAC are for sale and now is your chance to make a solid investment.

About:
Rock Island Auction Company has been solely owned and operated by Patrick Hogan. This company was conceived on the idea that both the sellers and buyers should be completely informed and provided a professional venue for a true auction. After working with two other auction companies, Mr. Hogan began Rock Island Auction in 1993. Rock Island Auction Company has grown to be one of the top firearms auction houses in the nation. Under Mr. Hogan’s guidance the company has experienced growth each and every year; and he is the first to say it is his staff’s hard work and determination that have yielded such results.

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