The Ripley Elite

[the black hand]

Hello,
Pete from Hogg Air Rifles has just contacted me with some news pertaining to the Ripley Hogg. I have been told that the rifle will now be named the Ripley Elite. The factory are looking at a December delivery date in time for Christmas. If you need any further informatiom contact Pete or Jim at Hogg Air Rifles who are always happy to help. Thank you

[Aeroman]

I think it might be a case of "Too little, too late"

They had their publicity in the magazines and blew it, for whatever reasons.
They've upset the keenest batch of potential customers through lack of communication, and the money they had allocated will now either have already been spent on an alternative or been swallowed up by the so called 'credit crunch'.
I would guess they've changed the name to try to re-brand the same product and present it as new in the hopes of attracting people back.