Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Gun maker will take look at Winchester factory
New Haven Register ^ | 03/22/2006 | Andy Bromage and Damian J. Troise

Posted on 03/22/2006 10:55:40 AM PST by neverdem

NEW HAVEN — Smith & Wesson, the nation’s oldest and once its largest handgun maker, was named by city officials Tuesday as one of three manufacturers eyeing a takeover of the soon-to-close Winchester firearms factory.

Mayor John DeStefano Jr. confirmed Tuesday that Smith & Wesson executives will be in town this weekend to tour the U.S. Repeating Arms Co. factory at 344 Winchester Ave., where "The Gun That Won The West" has been manufactured for 150 years.

"There is a serious interest in the plant by a credible manufacturer," DeStefano said Tuesday. "Where it’s going to lead, I am not going to handicap at this point."

City Hall is asking USRAC’s parent company, Belgium-based Herstal Group, to cede control of the plant to the city or another gun maker. In exchange, the city has offered to forgive $17 million in tax abatements, lease obligations and workers’ pay the city says Herstal owes.

Meanwhile, the city is pressuring Utah-based Olin Corp., owner of the Winchester brand name, to grant the Winchester license to a firearms maker willing to take over the New Haven factory.

Smith & Wesson’s chief financial officer, John Kelly, confirmed the visit Tuesday, but both he and DeStefano sought to downplay its significance.

"We’ve been asked to come down and take a look" Kelly said. "Obviously, it’s a great brand, but I wouldn’t read too much into it.

DeStefano also struck a cautious, if hopeful, tone.

"Herstal does want to sell the plant," the mayor said. "Herstal has an interest in retaining the license from Olin, but Olin has said they would deal only with a bonafide manufacturer, which Smith & Wesson clearly is."

DeStefano added, "This is just a step in the process. I don’t want to build expectations that are unreasonable."

DeStefano said the city is...

(Excerpt) Read more at nhregister.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Connecticut
KEYWORDS: banglist; smithwesson; winchester
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-82 next last

1 posted on 03/22/2006 10:55:45 AM PST by neverdem
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Puppage; nutmeg
BANG!
2 posted on 03/22/2006 10:56:41 AM PST by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

I may regret not getting that Model 70 I have always coveted!


3 posted on 03/22/2006 10:58:21 AM PST by Publius6961 (Multiculturalism is the white flag of a dying country)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961

I hope they buy it. It would be a huge upset to see winhcester shut down.. I own a Winchester 1300 in 20 gauge and i love it. I would love to buy a Model 70 in .270 as soon as i get some $ together. Winchesters have been selling fast at the gun shop i go to.


4 posted on 03/22/2006 11:02:41 AM PST by BigTom85 (Proud Gun Owner and Member of NRA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961

I may regret not getting that Model 70 I have always coveted!
-----
Just bought one!!! ;-) -- a nice stainless classic in 30-06. It will become a collectors item --- :-)


5 posted on 03/22/2006 11:02:55 AM PST by EagleUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: AAABEST; wku man; SLB; Travis McGee; Squantos; Shooter 2.5; The Old Hoosier; xrp; freedomlover; ...
Click the Gadsden flag for pro-gun resources!
6 posted on 03/22/2006 11:08:33 AM PST by Joe Brower (The Constitution defines Conservatism. *NRA*)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EagleUSA

Gun envy...


7 posted on 03/22/2006 11:10:17 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: EagleUSA
Just bought one!!! ;-) -- a nice stainless classic in 30-06. It will become a collectors item --- :-)

For me, the Model 70 has always been a classic.
My choice is sither .223 or .270 . Guess what I enjoy!?

8 posted on 03/22/2006 11:10:51 AM PST by Publius6961 (Multiculturalism is the white flag of a dying country)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Smith & Chester ?


9 posted on 03/22/2006 11:13:25 AM PST by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EagleUSA
I bought the Model 70 Featherweight in 30.06 five years ago.

It's a work of art and shoots a .6 inch group CONSISTENTLY with 180gr bullets...out of the box:)

10 posted on 03/22/2006 11:14:35 AM PST by Mariner
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
City Hall is asking USRAC’s parent company, Belgium-based Herstal Group, to cede control of the plant to the city or another gun maker. In exchange, the city has offered to forgive $17 million in tax abatements, lease obligations and workers’ pay the city says Herstal owes.

Why would anyone reopen in New Haven? Buy the tools and move to more friendly environs.

11 posted on 03/22/2006 11:17:31 AM PST by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

I suspect someone will take over the name, not sure about the plant tho. Manufacturing guns in New England does not make much sense to me.


12 posted on 03/22/2006 11:18:37 AM PST by yarddog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Smith has been cosidering gettting into long guns again, aside from the M&P 15. This would be a good way to do it.


13 posted on 03/22/2006 11:20:41 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961

I got a 1938 Mod 70 carbine late last year. It's value has nearly doubled.


14 posted on 03/22/2006 11:21:48 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: neverdem
The environment for a gun maker in New England isn't that good. They would be better served by moving to someplace like Texas, Oklahoma, or even South Dakota.

I suspect someone will pick up the name and leave the plant. Most of the equipment is in need of an upgrade anyway.
15 posted on 03/22/2006 11:22:01 AM PST by redgolum ("God is dead" -- Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" -- God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Publius6961
I am proud to say I have owned a Model 94 since the early 70's and was given my fathers model 70 after he passed. Both were manufactured in the late 40's. Both are the true essence of the winchester brand. Extremely well built, accurate, and dependable. Both can still shoot half inch groupings at 100 yards. At least in the right hands. They will be passed to my son, and I hope to my grand children and great grand children. I believe that they will still shoot just as well then as they do today if they are cared for.
16 posted on 03/22/2006 11:23:32 AM PST by Bigs from Michigan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: neverdem

Buy the company and then move it to a red state. Why are gun makers still operating in the Northeast US? ... for crying out loud.


17 posted on 03/22/2006 11:24:19 AM PST by hattend (Democrats have no grassroots coalition, they have nutroots (thanks PJ-Comix))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: redgolum

Early Winchesters were almost hand made. Where will anyone find that workmanship in these times ?


18 posted on 03/22/2006 11:25:30 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: redgolum

I understand that Wyoming is actively trying to recruit gun manufacturers by offering substantial tax incentives.


19 posted on 03/22/2006 11:25:46 AM PST by tcostell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Joe Brower
Ya can't have too many gun plants!

Be Ever Vigilant!


20 posted on 03/22/2006 11:29:23 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-82 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson