The first edition was about 2003

This is from an article that appeared in the Oswego Valley News in October 2005

Famous shotguns in print - Richard Beyer of Palermo holds copies of his second edition of The Hunter Arms Company and the L.C. Smith Gun while Friends of History in Fulton President Elma Smith holds a L.C. Smith .410 shotgun, one of 200 made by the famous Fulton company. The book's second edition includes more history about the gun company, including more information about the .410 shotgun.

After writing an 80-page book about the Hunter Arms Company and its famous L.C. Smith shotguns almost two years ago, Richard Beyer of Palermo has authored a 114-page second edition that includes additional historical information about the Fulton plant and its employees.

"I wrote the first book just to try and get as much knowledge out there before I die," said Beyer. "After I wrote the first book, I realized that there was so much more that needed to be told."

Beyer noted that his first edition of The Hunter Arms Company and the L.C. Smith Gun proved to be popular with gun collectors. His first edition was the second ever published on the gun company and the first in 30 years.

"I reprinted the first book three times," said Beyer. "It was very popular, especially after I listed it on the internet. Even before I printed the second edition, I had 34 checks at home wanting it."