Bespoke Brit gunmaker prices 1960 vs today

[jambrdly]

I was looking at the prices in the 1960 Gun Digest today and I noticed that the price then for a new Westley Richards Mauser-actioned sporting rifle was $400. In today's dollars, that would be just over $4,000. However, new Westley Richards sporting rifles today start at $40,000. I am a great admirer of the British bespoke makers, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to own a few of their rifles over the years. But, I don't think I would buy one again, even if I had the money (I don't). Maybe it's just sour grapes but ... smells like a ripoff to me.

Thoughts?

 

[drover]

I was looking at the prices in the 1960 Gun Digest today and I noticed that the price then for a new Westley Richards Mauser-actioned sporting rifle was $400. In today's dollars, that would be just over $4,000. However, new Westley Richards sporting rifles today start at $40,000. I am a great admirer of the British bespoke makers, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to own a few of their rifles over the years. But, I don't think I would buy one again, even if I had the money (I don't). Maybe it's just sour grapes but ... smells like a ripoff to me.

Thoughts?

It appears that you made a miscalculation, per the inflation calculator that the $40,000 pricing is right in line with inflation. But I am no more likely to spend that kind of money on a rifle today than I was to spend $4000 in 1960.

"$4,000 in 1960 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $42,441.76 today, an increase of $38,441.76 over 64 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.76% per year between 1960 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 961.04%."

$4,000 in 1960 → 2025 | Inflation Calculator

The 3.73% inflation rate means $4,000 in 1960 is equivalent to $43,216.08 today. This inflation calculator uses the official US consumer price index published by the Department of Labor.

www.in2013dollars.com

 

[shortine]

The op's 1960 figure was $400, not $4000, so his inflation estimate is correct. Anyway; any hand made custom today has far eclipsed the inflation factor. If I could afford something like that, I still might buy it. 64 years from now it will be in the hundreds of thousands if not millions. That is, if there is still enough human skill left to produce it.

Gerry

 

[VA_XTC_Shooter]

I was just in the Purdy shop in London, there bespoke guns run from $50,000 to $400,000.

 

[drover]

The op's 1960 figure was $400, not $4000, so his inflation estimate is correct. Anyway; any hand made custom today has far eclipsed the inflation factor. If I could afford something like that, I still might buy it. 64 years from now it will be in the hundreds of thousands if not millions. That is, if there is still enough human skill left to produce it.

Gerry

My bad, I must have had a dyslexic moment

My apologies