From Sears
I hear ya.
When I was a kid, Lee Enfields were $29.99,
and a Winchester 94 was $99.99.
From the Sears catologue!
Speaking of the Sears Catalogue, I just have to tell this story.
About two years ago, I walked into a local Gun Shop. The Owner was behind the counter, and three people in front of the counter. On top of the counter was a box that contained a Deluxe Parker Hale SMLE Sporter conversion.
As the Owner knew that I was familiar with the Military rifles and such, he asked my opinion on it. It was in the original box, had matching serial numbers, replacement checkered walnut sporter stocks, a Parker Hale five round magazine, and the original packing. There was even the string tied around the box, AND the bill of sale ----for $19.95.
It had been bought in the 1960s, and was found in the back of a closet in a house owned by an woman who had passed away. The three people in front of the counter were the Son and two Daughters, and they wanted to sell the rifle and not be hassled because of the Gun Laws.
I gave an honest opinion of the value of the rifle, and the fact that the Gun Shop Owner could not buy it at that price, but had to make some money as a Commission. They accepted that, and sold the rifle.
Then the Story came out. When the Lady had ordered from Sears, there was a mix up somewhere along the line, and she received the Parker Hale Sporter Rifle. It was not what she ordered, and not knowing much about guns, and not sure how to send it back, she had stuck it in the back of the bedroom closet and left it there for almost 50 years.
She had originally ordered a set of WINDOW BLINDS!
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