The Cost of Living

[Shane Lawson]

The Cost of Living in the Old West

Due to inflation and other reasons the buying power of the dollar has changed significantly. For example $4 US Dollars in 1880 would be worth about $87 Dollars in todays money. The Inflation Calculator (( www.westegg.com/inflation/ )) can help you understand relative value during this age but this sheet has been provided as a quick reference point to what various things cost during the 1880's.

Lodging/Taverns
Breakfast -- $0.22 Cents
Dinner -- $0.44 Cents
Board For A Horse per Night -- $0.34 Cents
Board For A Horse Per Week -- $2.02
Board For A Horse Per Year -- $80.70
Board for A Man Per Night -- $1.07 Cents ((Unless its a upscale hotel))
Board for A Man Per Week -- $3.25
Board For A Man Per Year -- $95.00

Saloon Favorites
Whiskey Per Half Pint - $0.40 Cents
Brandy Per Half Pint -- $0.60 Cents
French Brandy Per Half Pint-- $1.00
Rum Per Half Pint -- $1.00
Cherry Bounce Per Half Pint -- $1.00
Madeira Wine Per Bottle -- $0.90 Cents
Strong Beer Per Quart -- $0.60 Cents
Cider Per Quart -- $0.60 Cents

Firearms


1873 Colt Single Action Army
$18.00 (7½" barrel aka "Cavalry Model" or 5½" barrel
aka "Artillery Model" or 4¾" barrel)
Variations on the standard SAAs:
$20.00 (2½" to 4¾" barrel, no extractor rod or housing
aka "Sheriff Model or Storekeeper Model")
$20.00 (10" barrel)*
$22.00 (12" barrel)*
$26.00 (16" barrel)*
+$2.00 full nickel finish
*Comes with detachable skeleton stock

Colt Model 1877 "Lightning/Thunderer" D.A
Rosewood grips, blued finish
$14.50/$16.00 (2½" or 3½" barrel with no extractor rod and
housing; 4½" or 6" with ejector and housing)
+$2.00 full nickel finish


Remington Model 1875 Single Action 'Outlaw/Frontier
Walnut grips, blued finish
$18.00
+$1.50 full nickel finish
+$4.50 engraving
+$4.00 ivory grips
+$13.50 pearl grips
+$7.00 gilt

Smith & Wesson No. 3 Single Action
Walnut grips, blued finish
$20.00
+$2.00 full silver finish


Usual price for Derringers
$.7.50

Rifles

Winchester Model 1873
Walnut stock, blued finish
$27.00
+$2.00 octagon or half-octagon barrel
+$1.50 swivels and sling strap
+$3.00 bayonet
+$3.00 nickel plated trimmings
+$5.00 full nickel finish
+$5.00 fancy walnut stock
+$15.00 fancy walnut pistol-grip stock

Sharps Model 1874 Rifle
Price -- Ranging from $90.00 to $400.00

Shotguns

Colt Model 1878 Double Barreled Shotgun
10 gauge or 12 gauge
2 shots
Walnut pistol-grip stock, blued twist barrels, lever
fore-end, rebounding lock
$50.00
+$10.00 laminated barrels
+$10.00 engraving

1874 Remington Double Barreled Shotgun
$45.00
+$5.00 pistol-grip stock
+$15.00 select Walnut stock (checked) and twist
barrels
+$30.00 Damascus barrels, select checked walnut
stock, and engraving


Pistol Ammunition

.22 Short 30c. per 100 rds
.22 Long 40c. per 100 rds
.30 Long 70c. per 100 rds
.32 Short 60c. per 100 rds
.38 Short 85c. per 100 rds
.41 Short 80c. per 100 rds
.41 Long $1.00 per 100 rds
.44 Henry Pointed. $1.30 per 100 rds
.44 S&W American $1.80 per 100 rds
.44 S&W Russian $2.10 per 100 rds.
.44 Winchester $2.00 per 100 rds
.45 Long Colt $2.40 per 100 rds
.45 S&W $2.50 per 100 rds

Rifle Ammunition
 
.22 Long 40c. per 100 rds.
.32-20 Winchester $1.20 per 100 rds
.36-100 $1.75 per 100 rds.
.38 Long 90c. per 100 rds.
.38-40 Winchester $1.45 per 100 rds.
.38-50 $1.50 per 100 rds.
.38-100 $2.00 per 100 rds.
.40-65 Winchester $2.00 per 100 rds.
.40-70 $3.75 per 100 rds.
.40-90 $3.75 per 100 rds.
.44 Evans $2.50 per 100 rds.
.44 Henry Pointed $1.30 per 100 rds.
.44 Henry Flat $1.30 per 100 rds.
.44 Winchester (.44-40) $2.00 per 100 rds.
.44-75 $3.70 per 100 rds.
.44-90 $5.00 per 100 rds.
.44-100 $5.00 per 100 rds.
.44-105 $5.00 per 100 rds.
.45-60 Winchester $3.00 per 100 rds.
.45-70 Government $4.00 per 100 rds.
.45-75 Winchester $3.75 per 100 rds.
.45-100 Sharps $4.00 per 100 rds.
.50-70 Government $3.25 per 100 rds.
.50-95 Express $6.50 per 100 rds.
.56-100 $6.75 per 100 rds.

Shotgun Ammunition
Any Gauge $2.50 per 25 shells

Note: Prices could vary from town to town, territory to territory.