SWB Smith & Wesson Holding Corp

Newly Created Position Supports Growing Business and Global Strategy SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (AMEX:SWB), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 154-year-old global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport, today announced the promotion of Leland Nichols to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer of Smith & Wesson Corp. In his new role, Nichols continues to report to Smith & Wesson President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael F. Golden and will oversee all operations of Smith & Wesson Corp. Nichols was previously Vice President of Sales. "During the past fourteen months, Leland has worked closely with me in running the day-to-day operations of the Company," said Golden. "He has played a significant role in helping the company achieve success, and his contributions on the senior management team, along with his leadership in the development and execution of our new sales and marketing strategy, have helped us diversify our company while delivering growth and profitability. Leland's new role as COO will allow us to continue to focus on delivering results in our core business, while we expand our presence as a global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport." Before joining Smith & Wesson Corp. in January 2005, Nichols most recently served as Executive Vice President for a division of Kohler Company in Wisconsin. Prior to that, he held significant management positions at The Stanley Works, including President of the Hardware Division. Prior to The Stanley Works, Mr. Nichols held several senior management roles throughout a 14-year career at Black & Decker Corporation including Vice President and General Manager of Northern Asia. His experience includes sales, marketing, product management and general management, both in the United States and Asia. While at Black and Decker, Mr. Nichols was very involved in the successful launch of the DeWalt brand of professional power tools. Mr. Nichols received his BA in Economics from the University of Georgia. About Smith & Wesson Smith & Wesson is a global provider of products and services for the safety, security, protection and sport markets. The Company manufactures firearms and handcuffs and is home to America's longest-running firearms training facilities for America's public servants. The Company also markets a variety of products for sport shooters including firearm safety/security devices, shooter protective gear, knives, apparel, footwear and other accessory lines. The Company is based in Springfield, Mass., with manufacturing facilities in Springfield and Houlton, Maine. Contact (800) 331-0852 or log on to http://www.smith-wesson/. Certain statements contained in this document may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and Smith & Wesson intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Forward-looking statements include the Company's continued ability to focus on delivering results in its core business while expanding its presence as a global provider of products and service for safety, security, protection and sport. The Company cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors include the demand for the Company's products; and the Company's growth opportunities; as well as other risks as identified from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (480) 949-9700 x. 115 DATASOURCE: Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation CONTACT: Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, +1-480-949-9700, ext. 115, Web site: http://www.smith-wesson.com/

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