Trapdoor Rifles

From the 1929 Director of Civilian Marksmanship price list. Basically the predecessor of today's CMP program, but at the time limited to NRA members only.
Sorry, all sold out long ago!

Not as cheap but still something to cry about from 1949

Those were the days a dollar was actually worth a dollar. Todays dollar I believe is only worth about 2.7 cents

.45Govt, Let me take a wild guess. that is page 15 of the James E. Serven catalog of the Dr. Harold Andrews collection? Course I could be wrong

To continue the progression, I bought my first collectible TD (M1873 rifle, all correct, #12313, which I still have) in 1970, for $75.00. The money came from selling the parts from 21 fencing muskets I obtained (and demilled) from a 'little theater company' in San Jose, CA.

Mine was an 1866 from the Pony Express sport shop in Encino Ca. for 125.00. It was 1965 and came with a box of shells. She was rack fresh and long gone.

Tom Trevor wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 12:54 am .45Govt, Let me take a wild guess. that is page 15 of the James E. Serven catalog of the Dr. Harold Andrews collection? Course I could be wrong

You are probably correct as I can not remember where I scanned from, just thought it was one of those things you just go Coulda Shoulda Woulda
Of course I wasn't around back then so....

Tom Trevor wrote: ↑Sun Jul 21, 2024 4:07 am Mine was an 1866 from the Pony Express sport shop in Encino Ca. for 125.00. It was 1965 and came with a box of shells. She was rack fresh and long gone.

Yes, and I heard you were roundly laughed at for paying that much for it.

.45 GOVT, It is the Serven catalog. I heard the 1.25 from the NRA story from a few of the old timers but none wanted to double their money. Time takes care of the cost and enjoyment is worth it.