1960 American Rifleman Ad

[Scott Wilson]

From the July issue.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q230/isky_bucket/HandguardAd004.jpg

[Dave L]

Scott put me down for a case or two.

[TD.]

I always enjoy reading the advertisements from 1960's. This was a great time in America for the professional and amateur gunsmith. So many military rifles and shotguns were available at then cheap prices to sportarize. Of course, collectors now cringe every time they find a 1903A4 Springfield that has been blued and re-stocked and has extra holes in the receiver. Same for all the other Springfield, Enfield and Mauser rifles. Remember all the M1 Garand's with welded receivers! I don't remember an overwhelming quantity of military type shotguns during this period but the same principle applied. Remove the hand guard (if so equipped), re-finish the metal and install better wood. Many added a longer barrel or installed a Cutts compensator or both. Reinhart Fajen, Bishop and Herter's were household names. I was just a kid during this time period but my father was a very active amateur gunsmith. I saw many military firearms change from military issue to a thing of beauty.

I would bet a great number of the hand guards as you see pictured in this advertisement went in the trash. There was no real value for this type product. This influx of military arms created many small gun shops around the country. Now that was job creation! Unfortunately, the end of the mail order firearm business in 1968 changed the landscape overnight.

[dave]

I have a whole note book full of those ads. I lived thru that time and got more then a few such deals! But at about 3-4 bucks an hour and three kids I didn't get near as many as I wish!

[Krinkoff]

I can remember looking at those ads in My dad's American Rifleman in the late fifty's, My favorite was "Ye Old Hunter" ads.