SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 24, 2008) – Smith & Wesson Corp., announced that the company’s Elite Gold™ shotgun was selected as the Ducks Unlimited (DU) President’s Top 100 Gun for 2008. Each year, all DU chapters work to raise money for habitat conservation work. The top 100 money-raising chapters each receive a specially selected firearm to be used for additional fundraising purposes. This year, the top 100 chapters will receive a Smith & Wesson Elite Gold side-by-side 20-gauge shotgun that will be used in live auctions at each chapter’s annual banquet.
“This is the fourth year that we have conducted our program and chosen a President’s Top 100 Gun,” said Gary Schmidt, Product Manager – Sporting Firearms and Knives for Ducks Unlimited. “Each year, a DU committee of senior volunteers and staff meet to review firearms from numerous manufacturers in order to select the winning model. After reviewing a variety of proposals, it was decided that the Smith & Wesson Elite Gold shotgun would be selected as this year’s President’s Top 100 Gun. We are very pleased with the committee’s decision, as the Elite Gold shotgun will no doubt be a highly sought after item by numerous DU members across the nation.”
A true hand-built double gun, the Elite Gold combines traditional handcraftsmanship with modern technology in a classic field shotgun. Offering upland hunters and traditional shooters a perfect blend of form and function, each shotgun features a gracefully rounded and sculptured receiver made possible by the patent-pending trigger-plate round body action. The 20-gauge shotgun features a hand engraved receiver, rust-blued, chopper-lump barrels and AAA (grade III) Turkish walnut stocks. With a perfect wood to metal fit, each of the Top 100 President’s Guns is embellished with custom engraving by Baron Technology. Capped off with a hand-cut checkered stock, the double gun is complete with a white bead front sight and a brass mid-beat sight.
Gregg Ritz, President, Smith & Wesson Hunting, said, “We are very honored that Ducks Unlimited has selected the Elite Gold shotgun as the President’s Top 100 Gun. For over 70 years, Ducks Unlimited has been one of the leading proponents of grassroots efforts to better manage and restore our nation’s wetlands and associated habitats. Through our partnership with Ducks Unlimited, not only will we be helping to raise money for a worthy cause, but we will also help to insure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the legacy of hunting.”
