Where We Came From

Larry Nance, the founder of SABRE Security Equipment Corporation.

Where it all began! Larry Nance and his family business started from the ground up in the family's first home.

Some of the original SABRE product catalog—the civilian models have gone through many transformations over the years.

The four Nance children, seen here in the 1980s, work together along with their mother to run the company as it is today.

At SABRE, excellence has defined our company from the beginning. Since 1975, we've maintained highest standard of quality for all of our products. Today, we're the world's #1 pepper spray brand for police officers and consumers. We manufacture pepper sprays and gelsstun guns and personal alarmsbear and dog sprays, home security systems and more. We've grown a lot since our inception, but our commitment to quality has never changed. Read on to learn more about where we came from, and shop industry-leading SABRE products online and at SABRE retailers worldwide.


  • 1975: Larry Nance founded SABRE on a $228 investment
  • Early Years: Focused on production and distribution of CS Tear Gas Defense Sprays
  • 1985: Testing began on Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) / red pepper sprays
  • 1990: Began producing halon fire extinguishers

  • 1991: Introduced SABRE Red maximum strength pepper spray
  • 1997: Law Enforcement Product Division founded
  • 1998: Introduced EPA-approved Frontiersman Bear Spray
  • 2000: SABRE stun gun line introduced

  • 2001: Became a Health Canada certified establishment
  • 2001: Obtained an HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) laboratory
  • 2002: New York Police Department began issuing SABRE to officers
  • 2003: Arizona Department of Public Safety & Phoenix PD study found SABRE to be The Best Tactical Spray

  • 2005: Chicago sales and marketing office opened
  • 2007: ISO 9001:2000 Certification obtained
  • 2008: Began partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation
  • 2009: ISO 9001:2008 certification achieved in 2009
  • 2010: Began supporting the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

  • 2011: The Best Packaging Award - Institute of Packaging Professionals - AAPEX Show
  • 2012: SABRE Personal Alarms and Home Series introduced
  • 2012: Worldwide Distributors Incorporated Hard Lines Vendor of the Year Award
  • 2014: Donations to the National Breast Cancer Foundation surpassed $1,000,000
  • 2018: ISO 9001:2015 certification achieved in 2018