North American Arms is a hunting and archery brand headquartered in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1971.
North American Arms, which builds guns in Provo, once paid a supplier by handing over the company. It ran on a shoestring and leaned on suppliers for money, among them Talley Manufacturing, a maker of bomb racks and missile launchers. Partners Dick Casull and Wayne Baker gave NAA to Frank Talley in lieu of what they owed.
In 1971 a venture named Rocky Mountain Arms formed to build Casull's single-action revolvers, from a hand cannon in .450 Magnum Express down to a 3.5 inch revolver in .22 Short. A 1973 trade magazine listed the little one at $69.50. Rocky Mountain Arms "simply went caput," in the words of NAA's owner, and NAA followed a couple of years later.
Teleflex bought Talley in the late 1980s and wanted out of guns. Sandy Chisholm, from its mergers staff, spent two years trying to sell NAA for a parent he called "rather stubborn on both price and terms," then bought it himself in November 1991, his "Victor Kiam/Remington moment."
Chisholm soon built a new plant up the street in Provo. A company once handed over to settle a supplier's bill ended up with the man assigned to get rid of it.
North American Arms' Chuckwagon belt buckle holds a .22 Magnum Mini-Revolver with a magnet and a spring-loaded lever, and the set weighs 27 ounces loaded.
New from North American Arms
Six engraved Earl revolvers go to auction
North American Arms put six hand-engraved Earl revolvers into a no-reserve auction on September 21. Bidding runs through October 4, and the money goes to Walk the Talk America.
