Original price for 1939 511?

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bbycrts
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:07 pm

Original price for 1939 511?

Post by bbycrts »

Hi - first post, so glad to find this group!

I have a 1939 (December) Remington 511 that was originally purchased by my father and grandfather together. They bought it to shoot gophers that would ruin the drainage ditches in their pear orchard.

This rifle is probably my single most treasured possession. I've told my wife if there's ever a house fire she will have to worry about the pictures of the kids and the family papers and things - I'll be saving the Remington.

Anyway, there is one small part of the family lore around this rifle I'd like to have clear in my head. The story was that Dad and Grandpa each paid $12 to buy the rifle - total $24. But as I've milled that story through my head I'm not so sure. Dad was only 14 years old when they bought it, so I'm not sure he would have had the money. Is there anybody who can tell me what the original price of the rifle would have been in December 1939? Hopefully that will help me at least get a more accurate picture so I can tell its story more completely...

Thank you!
John Gyde
Posts: 854
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 9:52 pm

Re: Original price for 1939 511?

Post by John Gyde »

I can come close.... In June 1940 the retail price of the M/511 was $10.45 according to an ad in Sports Afield.
bbycrts
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:07 pm

Re: Original price for 1939 511?

Post by bbycrts »

Wow! Close enough! Thanks so much. I bet they spent a TOTAL of $12 or so, not the $12 each as the story used to go. In fact, 1940 is when they would have purchased it as that was the first growing season they lived on the pear ranch, having moved there from a dirt farm in Missouri the previous fall...
bbycrts
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:07 pm

Re: Original price for 1939 511?

Post by bbycrts »

Another question - do you have a way to photocopy that ad? I searched Google for a long time last night but the closest I could find was ads from about 1948, and none of the images large enough to see any detail. I would love to see it.
John Gyde
Posts: 854
Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 9:52 pm

Re: Original price for 1939 511?

Post by John Gyde »

It's on page 233 in our book. I don't think it would copy well with the equipment I have at home. Maybe someone you know has the book (Remington .22 Rimfire Rifles)? My copies are sold out, there are some available from some of the dealers on-line or at gun shows.
bbycrts
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:07 pm

Re: Original price for 1939 511?

Post by bbycrts »

Beautiful! Thanks. I WILL find a copy!
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