NEW SIGN

As there is a lot of traffic going down Main Street and stopping at the red light - we thought it might be a good idea to "advertise" - so we put a sign on the side of the building. It is based on the color and similar setup of our business cards. We think it turned out extremely nice - thanks to Grafitti Expressions. If you need any kind of advertising, check them out: http://www.graffitiexpressions.com/.

TAURUS: A No-Bull History

Forjas Taurus ("Taurus forge") began as a small tool manufacturer in Porot Alegre, Brazil back in the 1930s. The company produced its first revolver, the Model 38101S0, in 1941, combining elements from several manufacturers of that day, including Colt, Smith &Wesson and certain Spanish brands.

Taurus soon became a major factor in the South American market and entered the U.S. market in 1968, employing the services of a succession of U.S. distributors over the next several years. Their efforts met with only marginal success and marginal acceptance by American shooters.

In the meantime, Smith & Wesson had been purchased by an international conglomerate named Banfor Punta, which later purchased 54 percent of Taurus. Thus, the two companies became "sisters" (neither ever owned the other), and over the years a great deal of technology and methodology were passed between the two. In fact, due to efforts to upgrade Smith & Wesson's factory, more technology and manufacturing know-how passed from Brazil to Springfield, Massachusetts, than vice versa.

Many of Taurus' young engineers did extended tours of duty at Smith & Wesson as part of that process. One of those was Carlos Murgel, who in 1977 , put together a group of investors that bought back Bangor Punta's 54 percent of Taurus outright. Dr. Murgel has since passed away, but the ownership structure continues today.

The change sparked a quest to improve overall quality of Taurus guns as well as an expansion program. Taurus eventually bought a factory that Beretta had built as part of a Brazillian government contract. Along with the purchase came tooling, machinery and a very experienced work force.

In 1982, Taurus opened Taurus USA, in Miami, Florida, to increase the firm's visibility here. Over the next several years, the company introduced guns such as the Raging Bull .454 Casull double-action revolver, the polymer-frame Millennium autoloader series, the 24/7 duty and service pistol family, the world's first all-titanium revolver line and also became the first company to offer its customers an unqualified lifetime repair policy.

Copied from Guns & Ammo Handguns (August/September 2008).

SAF & S&W

SAF and S&W announce a commemorative revolver.

Second Amendment Foundation and Smith & Wesson Partner on Commemorative Revolver

Engraved Model 442 Will Recognize District of Columbia vs. Heller Decision

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July, 21, 2008) – The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Smith & Wesson have partnered to create a commemorative revolver designed to recognize the historical significance of the District of Columbia vs. Heller decision and to acknowledge the six original plaintiffs that united to challenge the gun ban in Washington, D.C.

As part of the project, an engraved Smith & Wesson Model 442 revolver will be presented to each of the six plaintiffs – Shelly Parker, Tom Palmer, Gillian St. Lawrence, Tracey Ambeau, George Lyon and Dick Heller – for their key roles in working to protect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Smith & Wesson will make the commemorative revolver available for consumer purchase in Fall 2008 and will direct a portion of the proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation to acknowledge the organization’s pivotal role in the Heller case and its ongoing efforts to preserve the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.

“We are proud to work with Smith & Wesson on this project,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. “June 26 saw a landmark victory for the Second Amendment, and for all Americans. This is a fitting way to commemorate a significant moment in history, and support future efforts that will continue to strengthen our constitutional rights.”

The Smith & Wesson Model 442 will be laser engraved with an insignia to commemorate the ruling by the Supreme Court. On the right side plate of the revolver, the scale of justice is depicted with the wording “D.C. vs. Heller” across the scale. The balance is in favor of the “Heller” name with the court date of “June 26, 2008” positioned across the top. Underneath the scale, the side plate reads “Second Amendment” and “The right to keep and bear arms” in white lettering.

“We at Smith & Wesson are pleased to honor the six original plaintiffs in the case while at the same time offer to consumers a firearm that will help in the preservation and protection of the Second Amendment,” said Tom Taylor, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson. “The Second Amendment Foundation has worked diligently on the Heller case along with several other cases in the last two decades by promoting legal scholarship. Their contributions have helped to dramatically change the legal landscape and we are honored to partner with them on this project.”

SHOP ONLINE WITH OTSD

Can't make it to the store? Shop online through our link with Davidson's GuaranteeD!!!!! You can't go wrong with their Lifetime Replacement. Click on the link below and as always, do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff at 423/272-4501. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.

http://www4.davidsonsinc.com/consumers/subsites/dealer_home.asp?dealer_id=58865&preview=True

SHOP ONLINE - SAVE GAS

Well, with the gas situation, more and more people are shopping online. Probably a smart move. So, to keep up with that way of thinking - you can now shop online through Olde Towne Sports Depot at our online site at Davidson's Guaranteed. There is a link at several different locations throughout our website. I've also included a link on the blog. Sit back, log on and look around. You just might find what you've been looking for.

WE'RE BACK

Seems like time just flies by when you are having fun. And, when you are busy, blogs sometimes take a back seat. But, maybe we can get back on track with some informative information for the public.

Did you know?

WHITE-TAILED DEER
In 1900, less than half a million white-tailed deer remained in the nation. Today, conservation programs have returned the whitetail population to some 18 million.

CANADA GOOSE
Habitat destruction reduced Canada goose populations to a low of some 1,200,000 in the late 1940's. Today, there are more than three times that number.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK
In 1907, only about 41,000 elk could be counted in the U.S. Today, populations in ten western states total approximately 800,000.

WILD TURKEY
By the early 1900's, encroaching civilization and habitat loss may have reduced the wild turkey population to under 100,000. Today, conservation programs have restored the population to some 5 million birds.

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
About 50 years ago, the total U.S. population of pronghorn was only about 12,000. Today, conservation programs have helped increase the population to about 800,000.

TENNESSEE FISHING & HUNTING GUIDE

WATCH FOR OUR AD IN THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE TENNESSEE FISHING & HUNTING GUIDE. THESE WILL BE IN OUR STORE AND ARE FREE!! THIS MAGAZINE IS FULL OF STORIES, PICTURES AND ADS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING IN THE EAST TENNESSEE AREA. DON'T MISS OUT. VISIT OUR STORE AT 207 S. DEPOT STREET - ROGERSVILLE, TN TODAY AND PICK UP YOUR COPY.