Good Old Days?

Paladinpainter · 02-25-2016, 06:24 PM

I came across a copy of the American Rifleman from January of 1947. It made for some interesting reading with an ad that the Communists planning to disarm America. One article interviewed a number of leading firearms manufacturers about ramping up production for the civilian market, now that raw materials were becoming available.
By far the most fun reading were the want ads. How many times have you heard nostalgic talk about the guns you could buy dirt cheap? Well, yes Lugers for $100 is pretty attractive until you remember that the average wage in 1947 was $.50 to $.75 per hour. That a man making $2000 a year was doing pretty well for himself.
Our well-off friend still had to part with a week's pay or more to pick up a nice Luger. Which sounds about right for today's market.
Maybe the good ol' days just look better though our bi-focals.
Be Well,
John

ithacaartist · 02-25-2016, 09:32 PM

John, I appreciate your putting Luger prices and average income into perspective. The concept to which your title refers is even its own thing--the "good old days fallacy". Human nature makes us tend to forget the bitter and remember the better. Thus, someone's waxing romantic about the wonderful lack of air pollution from cars is neglecting to remember that horses have their own special pollutions!

alvin · 02-26-2016, 06:30 AM

A Manhattan hotel room cost $3 per night at that time.

John Sabato · 02-26-2016, 08:51 AM

W-O-W ! ! That magazine pre-dates ME by 9 months ! I love seeing those old classified ads.

abukafura · 02-26-2016, 11:45 AM

I think I am going to be sick!!! Unbelieveable, but I still remember those days and prices.

02-25-2016, 06:24 PM	#1
Paladinpainter User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 64 Thanks: 14 Thanked 45 Times in 15 Posts	Good Old Days? I came across a copy of the American Rifleman from January of 1947. It made for some interesting reading with an ad that the Communists planning to disarm America. One article interviewed a number of leading firearms manufacturers about ramping up production for the civilian market, now that raw materials were becoming available. By far the most fun reading were the want ads. How many times have you heard nostalgic talk about the guns you could buy dirt cheap? Well, yes Lugers for $100 is pretty attractive until you remember that the average wage in 1947 was $.50 to $.75 per hour. That a man making $2000 a year was doing pretty well for himself. Our well-off friend still had to part with a week's pay or more to pick up a nice Luger. Which sounds about right for today's market. Maybe the good ol' days just look better though our bi-focals. Be Well, John Attached Thumbnails

02-25-2016, 09:32 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,369 Thanks: 7,432 Thanked 2,611 Times in 1,378 Posts	John, I appreciate your putting Luger prices and average income into perspective. The concept to which your title refers is even its own thing--the "good old days fallacy". Human nature makes us tend to forget the bitter and remember the better. Thus, someone's waxing romantic about the wonderful lack of air pollution from cars is neglecting to remember that horses have their own special pollutions! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

02-26-2016, 08:51 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	W-O-W ! ! That magazine pre-dates ME by 9 months ! I love seeing those old classified ads. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-26-2016, 06:30 AM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	A Manhattan hotel room cost $3 per night at that time.

02-26-2016, 11:45 AM	#5
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 90 Times in 57 Posts	I think I am going to be sick!!! Unbelieveable, but I still remember those days and prices.