Something about prices in 1906

It's quiet different to get a feeling about the prices in 1906 and how to compare these with nowadays values. But due to the internet this problem can be solved.

First of all, I found a period WR catalog here:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/Library/BookPage.aspx?bid=FW0002466&sid=862&pid=1

The catalog is approximately of 1908 (the date May 1908 is mentioned on page 73 - it will be not later than 1910, as Edward VII. still is mentioned). On page 14 the prices for the shotgun with hand-detachable locks are listed as follows:

Price for a gun: £ 65
Price for a case: £ 3 and 10 shillings (=£ 3.5)
Price for cleaning rods, oil etc: £ 1 and 10 shillings (=£ 1.5)

Total: £ 70

Now, my problem was: I never dealt with prices in British Pound in 1906.

But I found:

http://measuringworth.com/exchangeglobal/

with this you can calculate the exchange rate of the US$ to a particular currency (i. a. Mark, Pound, French Franc) of a particular year. And the exchange rate in 1906 was:

1$ = 4.2 Mark
1 $ = 0.21 £
1 £ = 4.87 $
1 £ = 20.45 Mark


This means for 1906:

Price for a case: £ 3 and 10 shillings (=£ 3.5) = 17.05 $ = 71.59 Mark
Price for cleaning rod, oil etc: £ 1 and 10 shillings (=£ 1.5)= 7.31$ = 30.68 Mark
Price for a gun: £ 65 = 316.55$ = 1329.51 Mark

Total: £ 70 = 349. 90$ = 1431.78 Mark

I don't have a feeling for the $ of de jour, but I have for the Mark. And 1432 Marks were a lot of money! The most expensive Sauer shotgun according to Sauer's 1906 catalog was available for 650 Marks (a model XVIII in “Meisterwerk” quality).

Hope, you enjoyed this quiet long article as I do enjoy the gun!

Best regards

Martin

Last edited by sauerfan; 12/29/11 10:57 AM.