Cold Steel, Liemke Thermal Optics Change Hands

by
posted on December 24, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
cold-steel.jpg

Renowned knife manufacturer Cold Steel has been acquired by GSM Outdoors, parent company of Birchwood Casey, Walker’s Game Ear, SME, Viking Solutions and other brands familiar to firearm enthusiasts. The company, which was established in 1980 by Lynn Thompson, creates tools for everyday carry with the kind of strength and dependability that make them a popular choice among members of the military, law enforcement, emergency services personnel, self-defense practitioners and others. It also offers fixed blades, swords, sabers, pole-arms and halberds, in addition to hunting gear, spears, blowguns, axes, machetes and tomahawks.

Blaser Group acquired Liemke Thermal Optics this month. The latter firm, headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, launched in 2008 and began building its own line of night vision in 2014. Today it has grown to become the dominant thermal imaging brand in that country, offering lines of handheld units as well as many designed specifically for gun mounting. Blaser Group is the official U.S. importer of German firearms from Blaser, J.P. Sauer and Mauser, guns from Great Britain’s John Rigby and it also handles Minox products.

“We are excited to add this premium brand of well-priced, high-performance thermal optics to our product portfolio,” said Jason Evans, CEO of Blaser Group. “Liemke is at the forefront of technology, delivering the precision and performance of German engineering, making it a top choice for hunting, game detection and nighttime shooting applications.”

“Cold Steel is an iconic, best-in-class brand that Lynn Thompson has built over the last 40 years by pushing the needle on innovation and new testing standards,” said Eddie Castro, CEO of GSM Outdoors. “His users are some of the most loyal followers I’ve ever seen, and a testament to what he has built. The team and I are highly enthusiastic about bringing this legendary brand into the GSM Family and broadening our current line of cutlery offerings.”

Latest

Japanese Type 94 Ihtog 1
Japanese Type 94 Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Japanese Type 94 Pistol

Among the pantheon of World War II military sidearms, the Japanese Type 94 stands out for a number of undesirable reasons. Aside from its ungainly look, many regard it as one of the most dangerous firearms ever made.

New For 2025: GForce Arms 12Hammer

The latest option in the diverse lineup of GForce Arms shotguns is the 12Hammer, an AR-style platform chambered for 12-ga. shotshells that feeds from detachable box magazines.

Tips & Techniques: DIY Fire Bluing

Is there anything prettier than fire bluing? This bright, “peacock” blue color is one of the world’s oldest firearm finishes and can be found on guns dating back as early as the 16th century and is still used on some of today’s high-end custom arms.

Rifleman Q&A: Eddystone Bayonets

"I recently started collecting World War I U.S. military firearms. I want to obtain a Model 1917 rifle made by each contractor—Winchester, Remington and Eddystone—along with bayonets for each. However, I can only locate bayonets made by Winchester and Remington. Why are bayonets made by Eddystone so hard to find?"

NRA Youth Education Summit 2025 Provides Scholarships, Leadership Lessons

The 2025 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) brought together 32 exceptional high school students from across the United States.

Unfair Advantage: The Walther PDP Pro-X PMM

The latest “Pro” model in this famous German maker’s line of U.S.-assembled pistols leverages more than 100 years of experience in building service-size semi-automatics. And the results are better than even most experienced shooters should expect.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.