I was looking through some old file folders in my...Hummel figurine room...and found a sales brochure from the Tamiami Gun store from 1982. I don't believe the place is in existence anymore (as always, click to enlarge).
This page made me kind of wistful. This was back when Colt, H&R and Iver Johnson (the original company, not the one using that name today) were still churning out the handguns. This is all of the page I could capture with my phone camera.
One thing I notice is that, allowing for the difference in the value of a dollar in 1982 and today (the 1982 $ is equivalent to a little over $3 today), these things were pretty darned expensive. Just look at that S&W Model 629: $999 isn't pocket change today, let alone back in 1982.
I also found a Ruger brochure from 1982 (I believe I had it mailed to me).
And here's the page showing a couple of items from Ruger's "Six" series: the Police Service Six, and the Speed Six. The first handgun I ever bought was a stainless steel Police Service Six in .38 Spl. in 1984. I acquired another Police Service Six in .357 Magnum (used, LEO turn-in), and a Speed Six in .38 Spl. (pre-owned, but purportedly never fired) over the last couple of years. The "sixes" are pretty collectible these days; my favorite gun store recently put four Speed Six revolvers up for sale (on consignment), and I think the cheapest one was $795. They appear to be in mint condition, and come in their original boxes.
Now, if I can just find that late 19th century color brochure of Studebaker farm wagons...
Yeah, pistol prices certainly haven't dropped in all those years, alas.
ReplyDeleteMy first pistol was a S&W 9mm automatic, model 39. That was later replaced by a ,45 ACP (a Colt Combat Commander) that I shot to the point that I had to replace the slide lock and the barrel. That's long gone as well ... I sold it at some point.
Since then, I have purchased no guns.
No guns at all, y'hear me? NONE!
I believe you.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I qualified with pistols, in the Navy, we fired both the 1911 and S&W Model 10. Generally I shot a 1911 until about 2002 but there was one time we used Ruger Security Sixes. I actually liked the Model 10 quite a bit but never got one for myself.
ReplyDeleteI do have a Model 28, the so-called Highway Patrolman.
Hey Jeff! You can always go dredging in any number of rivers and lakes. I hear they’re chock full of firearms, has?
ReplyDeleteSupposed to be “yes”.
DeleteThe Model 28 is a nice-looking handgun.
ReplyDeleteI started with the 1911 in the Army and National Guard, Steve. Aside from the wear and tear on the inventory (by then, the Army was looking at 9mm), I found that to be an excellent weapon. Revolvers were strictly a pilot issue back then, none for line units.
ReplyDelete(Interesting story ... ... I once handled a 1911 with a 6 digit serial number in a Guard Armory.)
Anon, I need to invest in a good strong magnet ....