rldarmstr Posted September 27, 2016 Share #1 Posted September 27, 2016 We cleaned out a couple of upstairs closets recently and I came across a bunch of my early 1960’s American Rifleman Magazines. The classified ads make up the last 17 pages (more or less) of the magazines. I thought a little nostalgia might put a perspective on today’s gun control issues. BTW; I was working on a farm for a $1.00 and hour and didn't know what the 2nd amendment was. No FFL's, I could order these firearms and they came to my front door. Among the more dramatic offerings were: US 1903 Springfield rifle – $29.95US Army Model 1917 - $29.95US .30 caliber M1 Carbine - $74.95US Model 03A3 - $42.95 A new shipment of F.N. Mausers from Peru in .30-06 caliber - $39.95German P38 pistol - $34.95German Luger Model ’08 - $39.95German 98 Mauser - $24.95 USMC WWII bolo machete - $3.95US model of 1905 bayonets with WWII scabbards - $3.50 The “Z. M. Military Research Co.” offered a combo: M1903 Springfield rifle; complete with sling, M1905 bayonet w/M1910 scabbard, pull through oiler, and combination tool – $39.95A 10 pocket cartridge belt was a $1.98 extra.A garrison belt with interlocking embossed buckle and two cartridge pouches was an extra $3.98 No political agenda. Lifetime membership to the NRA was $100 How times have changed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted September 27, 2016 Share #2 Posted September 27, 2016 Yeah you also see some of the insignia/uniform/edge weapon catalogs from way back that have been posted around in various topics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted September 27, 2016 Share #3 Posted September 27, 2016 I believe that "Z.M. Military Research Co" was a Military Collectibles business in Englewood , NJ. I remember going to their store a few times in the the late 60's. The inventory they had was amazing. My spending budget when I visited was about 5 bucks. Would love to go back in time with $1,000 to spend. I still have a few of their catalogs. I'll try to post a page or two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted September 27, 2016 Share #4 Posted September 27, 2016 I feel like posting that Streisand song, The Way We Were Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 27, 2016 Share #5 Posted September 27, 2016 Use to look through the old gun mags my dad had.Anti tank rifles, and all types of things for sale. Not much has changed as far as wage cant keep up with the prices... My dad purchased Model 92 Winchester rifles back around 1960 or 61. They were $35 each....he was only making $64 a week thats spending half your check on a gun... Explain that to the wife that you spent half your check on a gun. I wouldn't have wanted to I knew her as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmanton Posted September 27, 2016 Share #6 Posted September 27, 2016 I took advantage of a 1911 and an 03 back then. The carbine was a bit pricy for me though. Paul Salome, AZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warroom1 Posted September 27, 2016 Share #7 Posted September 27, 2016 ZM was in New york city first in the old Tribune new paper building, the 1968 Gun control act in NYC drove many of the gun dealers out of the city.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted October 1, 2016 Share #8 Posted October 1, 2016 dont know if these have been posted before... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted October 1, 2016 Share #9 Posted October 1, 2016 another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted October 1, 2016 Share #10 Posted October 1, 2016 another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 1, 2016 Share #11 Posted October 1, 2016 $97.50 for a Garand... because adding $2.50 to make it an even $100 would have made it too expensive to sell! Before we get all nostalgic, according to an inflation calculator that I used, $100 in 1960 would be worth $813 today. http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ So looking at these ads, you have to keep in mind these were still pricey items even back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 1, 2016 Share #12 Posted October 1, 2016 $97.50 for a Garand... because adding $2.50 to make it an even $100 would have made it too expensive to sell! Before we get all nostalgic, according to an inflation calculator that I used, $100 in 1960 would be worth $813 today. http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ So looking at these ads, you have to keep in mind these were still pricey items even back then. Exactly. As I posted my dad as a driver and route sales for our local Coca Cola plant made a typical wage of $64a week.Payed rent had two young daughters mom worked at a factory plus all the other incidental and got by. Even then prices were way above average people ability to collect or buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jprostak Posted October 16, 2016 Share #13 Posted October 16, 2016 Credit also wasn't what it is now. Today you can throw that M1 on your credit card and or get a cash advance on it and take months to pay it off. Back then, you would have had to take out a bank loan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted October 17, 2016 Share #14 Posted October 17, 2016 Credit also wasn't what it is now. Today you can throw that M1 on your credit card and or get a cash advance on it and take months to pay it off. Back then, you would have had to take out a bank loan. Very true. A lot of people have forgotten how little credit was extended to the average person in the 1960's. Most loans were based on collateral, such as a house or a car. This was back in the day of department store lay aways... a practice which was revived in the cash poor recession of late. People even put their kid's Christmas presents and clothes on lay away and paid off their purchases month to month. The only good news about that is usually it was done without an interest charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 17, 2016 Share #15 Posted October 17, 2016 Credit also wasn't what it is now. Today you can throw that M1 on your credit card and or get a cash advance on it and take months to pay it off. Back then, you would have had to take out a bank loan. I think people use paypal the same way.Just buy and run it through paypal thats linked to a card.Seems if you are a seller here on the forum very few will follow through with a deal if you ask for a check or money order.I get pay pal if faster and more convieant but I think mostly people who use it dont have the funds to get a money order and operate off credit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 17, 2016 Share #16 Posted October 17, 2016 $97.50 for a Garand... because adding $2.50 to make it an even $100 would have made it too expensive to sell! Before we get all nostalgic, according to an inflation calculator that I used, $100 in 1960 would be worth $813 today. http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ So looking at these ads, you have to keep in mind these were still pricey items even back then. I purchased a Garand at an auction here 8-10 years ago.bought it asit had some early features and a 43 dated barrel.I was able to see the prior owners records two years ago.He bought it in 1968 for $80.No other info. Found out its all correct WW2 for the time frame even an uncut operating rod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted October 17, 2016 Share #17 Posted October 17, 2016 Can you imagine a Johnson for $60. I hope 60 years from now people are saying ...can you imagine a Mosin Nagant for $80. Of course I'll be long gone by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted October 17, 2016 Share #18 Posted October 17, 2016 Can you imagine a Johnson for $60. I hope 60 years from now people are saying ...can you imagine a Mosin Nagant for $80. Of course I'll be long gone by then. No but I remember Johnsons for $150-$350...Then they hit $500.Still didnt buy one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everforward Posted October 18, 2016 Share #19 Posted October 18, 2016 A good friend bought a 1911A1 (Colt, 1944) at our local gun show in the early 70s for $50. Stone mint in a repack foil bag like many of the NM pistols came in. He says that stuff like Lugers were what was expensive at the time, like $200.00..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatl Posted October 25, 2016 Share #20 Posted October 25, 2016 $97.50 for a Garand... because adding $2.50 to make it an even $100 would have made it too expensive to sell! Before we get all nostalgic, according to an inflation calculator that I used, $100 in 1960 would be worth $813 today. http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/ So looking at these ads, you have to keep in mind these were still pricey items even back then. I think it's even worse than your inflation calculator indicates. In the early 1960's you could go to a bank and exchange your greenback for a silver dollar. I have my parents' papers showing them taking out a credit union loan for $200; that was a lot of money back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C500 Posted October 31, 2016 Share #21 Posted October 31, 2016 another Thompson from Lakewood Ohio PD. that's the next city over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45govt Posted November 1, 2016 Share #22 Posted November 1, 2016 Hello That is interesting. A little more my speed from a James Serven catalog 1949 an Officers Model rifle and two "Marksman" rifles which were actually sporting rifles. The Officers model today run anywhere from 10k to 40k depending on model and condition The "Marksman" sporting rifles 3k to 5k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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