Last week whilst perusing Ebay I came across a copy of an old Catalogue issued by Hartley & Graham (circa 1880's) Sellers of Guns, Ammunition, sporting goods and accessories. Operating out of 17-19 Maiden Lane New York.

Being interested, I purchased it for £6.00 ($10.69). I arrived today. Measuring 12"x9" and containing 56 beautifully illustrated pages, it is a cornucopia of fascinating items, not just for the weapons they sold but the ammunition, reloading tools, spare parts, cleaning gear, gunsmiths tools, Breech loading and Muzzle loading rifles, Locks, springs etc, etc.

Being a Single Shot Rifle fan I immediately scanned the pages and came across the following items under the Sharps Rifle heading.

Sharps Rifle Model 1874 in either 40/90, necked and 45/27/8 straight shell (45/90?). 30" Octagon barrel, Double set triggers, weight 13-16lb. (Refinished)............... $21.34.

Sharps Borchardt Military Rifle .45 cal. (New)..... $11.33. 
                  
Elsewhere 40/90 ammunition was listed at ...$45.00 per 1000
.45/90 at...............................................$58.00 per 1000
.45/70 at...............................................$36.00 per 1000

Double set triggers for Sharps Mod 74.........$4.00 each.
Sharps reloading tools in several calibres.....$6.25. per set.
Lots of spare parts for the 74 Sharps were available for next to nothing, i.e. Breech blocks at $2.00 each

Civil War Carbines $2-$4 each.
Spencer Rifles and Carbines $10.00 each.
Remington Rolling Block Rifles $7.25 each.
Enfield 58 cal Civil Rifles (refinished as new) $1.75 each.
Springfield Rifles 58 cal $2.80 each.
There's scores more rifles, pistols, parts and accessories and a great deal of Military Surplus items listed.

Oh for access to a time machine and a hat full of cash. I'd be a millionaire in a week. 

Harry

I fully agree with everything you say Singleshotman, itwas a different era. My father was a machine shop foreman at Vickers Armstrong Engineering during WW2 and he earned just £4.00 a week which was, in those days about $16.00

Everything is relative so to speak, yet I can remember a time in my own life when I could pick up a .577" Snider or a .577/450 Martini Henry Rifle in almost perfect condition for £20- £25. then some $60-$75. Forty years later the same rifles in the same condition bring upward of £1,000.00 or $1,777.80. I now wish I had bought a reasonable stock and put them away to help out my pension. lol.

Ah, we learn by our mistakes, don't we. lol. My mother always told me I should have been born into wealth, I wish I had been. I've always had $10 Dollar taste's on a $5 Dollar income.

Regards,

Harry