1916 Info on NRA Sales Rifles Pre WWI

[cplnorton]

I'm going back through old books trying to find clues and found this. I think it might have been covered some in Brophy's, but not to this detail. It's hard to believe this was almost a 100 years ago. I thought a few of you might enjoy reading it.

[cplnorton]

I just found this. It looks like the change to the club rule. I think this was dated November 1920

[John Beard]

The new November, 1920, regulations resulted from collusion between the NRA and the War Department to get legislation through Congress authorizing expanded sales of arms and materials, including National Match rifles for the first time. "The War to end all Wars" had been fought and won and Springfield Armory was running out of things to do.

Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

[Promo]

A truck full of both of those "M1903 fitted for telescopic musket sight", aswell als the "M1903 star-gauged and fitted with Maxim silencer" please .

Quite interesting to see that they already sold off the W&S snipers, but also offering silenced "NM" rifles to the public!

PS: The ad in the first picture is also quite interesting. They offer the Kerr sling made of leather?

[cplnorton]

These old ads just crack me up. I would have loved to live in a day like this, where you could have ordered this stuff. Georg if you are looking for a ad for a certain item from back then tell me, I will see if I can find you one. I'm digging through this stuff anyways.

[cplnorton]

This I think is the early 30's. As I see a mention of the C stock, and I don't think they were offered before 1929. This one is neat because not only could you order the rifles but all the individual pars. I don't have it scanned yet, because it's a lot. But you could order each individual part and they have a price on it. When I get more time I will do it for you guys if you have interest.

[John Beard]

I would have loved to live in a day like this, where you could have ordered this stuff.

You do live in a day like that! It's called the Civilian Marksmanship Program, or CMP. And when they have surplus rifles for sale, you can order one! And CMP prices are unbeatable! And the CMP may soon have surplus M1911 .45 automatics for sale!

I can remember when all government rifle sales were suspended following enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968. Anniston Army Depot fired up "Kaptain Krunch" and began grinding up surplus rifles. Those were dark days for military surplus arms collectors.

J.B.

[Promo]

I'm in the wrong country for that John ... ;-). Any more ads on the W&S scopes Steve?

[cplnorton]

I will look Georg. I have ads for Warner Swasey spotting telescopes if you want one of those.

[John Beard]

I'm in the wrong country for that John ... ;-).

Condolences.

J.B.

[PWC]

I do remember in the late 50's and early 60's Outdoor Life and Field and Stream had, at the back of the magazine, a full page add where you could buy '03s for $15, Martini's for $5 and various other accouterments similarly priced. All were delivered by US Mail to your door I think you could even buy a Jeep for $50. I remember being fascinated by double barrel shotguns (black powder) for $3. My uncle did buy an 03, I remember, with finger grooves, and as he was a woodworker, he restocked it, scoped it and took many deer with it.

[Rick the Librarian]

I generally remember M1903s going in the $29-45 range during the 1960s. The $29 rifles were generally low-number. A number of those sold by Kleins and other places were British Remington M1903s which fetch high prices, these days.

Klein's rifle ad - 1961.jpg

[dave]

The DCM was promoting "marksmanship". The CMP promotes "collectors, dealers and salaries for their executives". They only seem cheap because the dealers they sell to mark them up, and everyone follows. I would love to have a .45, if it ever comes about, but know I will not be able to afford it!