Sharing the pain: 1994 prices (sob!)

[A. Walker]

I was cleaning out some junk from the garage when I came across an old Cabela's catalogue from 1994. The prices for things 17 years ago make me want to invent a time machine.

For instance:

Pietta pistols:
1860 army - reg $124.95 sale $98.95
1851 navy (.36 cal) - reg $99.95 sale $84.95
1858 Remington - reg $124.95 sale $98.95
1851 Marshall (.36 cal) $169.95 not on sale
1851 Pocket Police reg $124.95 sale $108.95
1851 "Confederate Navy" (.44 cal brass frame) $69.95 (not on sale)

Uberti pistols
Colt Walker $189.95 not on sale

Uberti rifles (none on sale)
Henry Sporting (.44-40) $649.95
1866 "Yellow Boy" (.44-40) $499.95
1873 Sporting (.44-40) $599.95
Cattleman's carbine (BP) $239.95
Cattleman's carbine (cart .44-40) $299.95

Other rifles
TC 1/2 stock Hawken $159.95
Pedersoli (?) Sharps sporting (BP) $649.95
Pedersoli (?) Sharps sporting (cart .45-70) $749.95
Kentucky long rifle (cabelas ?) (flintlock) $319.95
Kentucky long rifle (cabelas ?) (perc) $399.95
1862 3-band Enfield (.58 cal) $369.95
1861 Springfield (.58 cal) $449.95

Modern rifles
CVA Panther $219.95
Knight Wolverine $209.95
White Super 91 (blued) $489.95

I think you can add at least $150 to the pistols to meet today's prices, and a thousand dollars or so to the rifles. One thing about the catalogue is that it has page after page of BP stuff unlike the page or two we get today. I especially grimace over the prices for Sharps .45-70 as I would dearly love one of these. I could afford one if they were still as cheap as this but, oh well.

 

[alienbogey]

As my grandfather used to say: We're blessed with cheap money.

 

[kameron1858]

sad thing is some day todays prices will seem cheap

 

[ZZZ]

That 1994 Dollar is only worth about .60 cents today if that makes you feel any better . Oh yeah, and you have 17 years less to live now too.

 

[451 Detonics]

I'll make ya feel even worse...This is the parts list that is in my Ruger BH box...yes that is a 44 Super BH cylinder for 11 bucks and a frame for 26.00...

 

[arcticap]

Buy used guns, they're less expensive.

In 1994, the average price of 1 gallon of gasoline was $1.11 and a 1st Class postage stamp cost 29 cents.

http://www.1990sflashback.com/1994/economy.asp

 

[leadcounsel]

In todays dollars, $200 in 1994 is worth about $285 in 2009 (calculator doesn't go to 2011). I would guess it'd be around $300 for value in 2011.

 

[alemonkey]

In about 1992 or so as a teenager I bought a brass framed Colt Navy mail order from Cabela's. I think I paid $80. My mom freaked out when it showed up. Fast forward and she just bought her first gun a couple months ago, a Ruger SP101. Not everything changes for the worst

The prices on the Pedersoli Sharps make me green with envy though. I bought mine (Silhouette Model 45-70) about 3 years ago used but unfired for I think $1100 with a vernier sight included, and I thought I got a steal.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

i have a 1978 Navy Arms catalogue with wholesale price list. But those prices aren't nearly as enviable as the Dixie catalogue from 1965.

In 1981, I wandered into Interarms in Alexandria VA and bought 5 1885 Martini Henrys for $79 each. Clark Brother's out near Warrenton VA had wooden cases of 1880's 45-70 ammo for 25 cents a pound. In 1977, at Woolco stores around DC, a 6.5 Swede Mauser was $19. I paid $5.00 a brick for S&W brand 22 RF cartridges. But the most shocking change in prices...............In 1990 I bought 25 pounds of black powder in 5 pound bags for $3/pound

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Laugh at me if you want.... but when I was in High School I used to think that the Octane level of gas and price were related. Because in that time. The cost of gas almost never changed and was usually pretty close to: 87 = .87 per gal. 89 was .89 and 92 was .92.

Nice and simple......& that wasnt all that long ago!

 

[WALKERs210]

Bought my first rifle back around 1964, paid $3.00 for it, sold it a few years later for $10.00. There was a dept store in Birmingham that had racks and racks of Mauser K98's that sold around $39. each. 1966 on board ship cigarettes cost a whopping .11cents a pack. In the mid 60's I worked for .87cents an hour, now if I do anything my labor charges are much higher. Prices go up but wages don't always keep up with the increase.