Used 1911s, $39.95 + shipping

[Questor]

That's what they were selling them for in 1957 in advertisements in American Rifleman magazine. In today's dollars, that's about $250. They were used US military guns appearing to have been surplus from WWII.
 

[Dusty Miller]

Oh boy, I bet there were in great shape!

[Mikey]

Guys, back in the day I bought a lot of handguns from those ads and I think I still have a couple.  You darn near had to work all summer to cough up the $ for one of those, or a Luger or a Broomhandle.  Yep, those were the days...............Mikey.

[His lordship.]

A guy I know who flew with my dad in WW2 bought a like-new Rem-Rand 1911 A1 in the mid-60's as a member of the NRA.  I shot that gun several times, it looked to be in new condition.  Accuracy was poor though.  He left it in original condition and his daughter has it now.  He also bought a like new Springfield 1903 rifle, both guns cost him the price of a visit or two to McDonalds now. 

Wished I could have gottin in on something like that.  On the other hand, we can buy like-new Mosin Nagant 1891/30's right now for around $100.00.

[williamlayton]

IF, If and buts were candy and nuts, we would all have a Merry Christmas.
Lots of those weapons were in purty good shape--and some were not.
I remember passing up on good carbines, M1's and others because of rocks in my head.
Dang those rocks in my head.
Dang it-dang it well, Dang it all.
Kicking myownself while exiting stage right.
Blessings

[Questor]

Mikey:

My reaction to the ads was the novelty. But I think we're in much better shape today than ever before. Today for not a lot more in terms of real dollars we get guns that are accurate, have good triggers and sights, and ammo is plentiful. I felt no nostalgia for it.

It's amazing how much of a market there was in surplus guns though. The ads  saw had "grab barrel" deals where you sent $20 and got three pistols randomly picked from a barrel.  There was an ad of historic significance, the Carcano rifles, the type used to assassinate Kennedy, were much less expensive than comparable guns from other militaries. About $13 vs. $34 for a U.S. Springfield 03.

[jhm]

There used to be a Gunshop in Lincoln Park Mi. called Hoods Gunshop, they had wooden barrel full of old craigs/ springfields/ and just a random assortment of rifles, your choice $12.95.   JIM

[Lloyd Smale]

i guess its not much different then all the police trade in smtihs and glocks  and sigs on the market. I picked up two 15s and a 10 and a 64 about 4 years ago for a 150 bucks a piece in ex shape. Wish there were more to buy!

[woodchukhntr]

If you go to Guns magazine's web sight www.gunsmagazine.com you can view or download the last 2 month's issues of 1957 Guns magazine.  The ads are great to look at.  To put things into perspective remember that although gas was less than a quarter per gallon and the guns were cheap, the average salary was about $4500 (that's per year, not per month).

[Horsefeathers]

In 1961 I bought a 03-a3 Springfield rifle from the DCM for $10,plus $7 for shipping and packaging. It was supposed to be classed as unserviceable BUT! It was in Mint unfired condition. They also had M-1 Carbines for $20 and M1911-A1 pistols for $17. Most things today cost more than 10 times. (Pontiac #2700/$27000) Horsefeathers.

[greener]

Saw those ads.  Seemed like a whale of a lot of money at the time.  That was about the time I converted my (all silver) coin collection to Christmas presents.  I don't even want to think what it would be worth today.

[gtram]

In 1965 I bought a 1908 German Luger from a mail order company by the name of Ye Old Hunter. Price was $35.00 and
included shipping.To put things in perspective when I bought that old Luger I was a lowly E-3 in the Air Force making around
$75.00 a month. Traded the Luger in 1970 for a Ruger .357 flat top. Now I don't have either.

[torpedoman]

the ones that will be the "gee i should have done that" guns are the cz 52 and the cz 82 pistols the mosin will be the next mauser