How much did a cowboy in the days of the Wild West cost a revolver and cartridges (3 photos + 1 video)

Today, moviegoers' love for westerns has practically faded to no, although successful and not-so films in this genre are being made to this day. A boom in interest in the American Wild West occurred in the middle of the 20th century and continued in an active phase until the early 1970s. Filmed westerns even in the socialist bloc.





Moreover, many adventure films like The Elusive Avengers" or "White Sun of the Desert" contained cultural and production references to a popular American genre. However, one the case of cinema and a completely different matter of real life.

The everyday life of real cowboys, of course, was very different from that shown in the movies.

How much did a cowboy earn in the era of the Wild West?



First of all, it is worth understanding that the era of the Wild West is long period of American history. Most canonical and often depicted in fiction the period of this era is the time between the American Civil War 1861-1865 and the end of the 19th century. However, in reality, by the time The Wild West is usually attributed to a much longer period of time: approximately from the end of the first quarter of the 19th century to the beginning of the first quarter of the 20th. Need to can we say that for almost 100 years, salaries and prices in the United States have changed, if only because of changes in the purchasing power of the currency and happening in the country's economy?

For example, during the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855 years, a carpenter in San Francisco was earning $16 a day. Wherein by the 1860s, the same carpenter in all the same San Francisco earned no more than $4 a day or up to $120 a month. Corporal or Private in the Army of the Northern States during the Civil War received up to 13 dollars a month. Sergeant - $17 per month. Captain - no more than $115 per month. Federal Marshal (Police Officer) position, not title) was earning at the same time about $150 per month. A schoolteacher in Texas in the 1860s received up to $40 a day. month. The income of cowboys against the general background of ordinary hard workers and soldiers does not differed for the better.

In the 1860s, the average cowboy got 25 cents a day, or 10-25 dollars per month. The rate could be higher depending on region and qualifications of a particular shepherd. Cowboys who specialized on the cattle drive, could get 100-150 dollars for the route. However, driving cattle over long distances was infrequently required. Also this work was not only rare, but also extremely dangerous, and also scary severe. According to surviving American ledgers, a cowboy working on a ranch could earn $200-$250 a year with very good layout. In other words, guys in brimmed hats don't fattened...

What kind of weapon and how much ammo could a cowboy buy?



Before talking about ammo and weapons, it would be nice note a few more items of expenditure cowboys for clarity. For example, genuine leather boots cost $5-$25 in the 1860s. Cheap boots had to be changed at least once a year. A glass of whiskey saloon - about 1.5 cents. A bottle of whiskey - from 10 cents. Saddle and bridles in the cheapest version - $ 18. riding horse (not the worst) - from 50 dollars. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that most cowboys didn’t have their own horses because that they need to be fed and watered. Most often, a cowboy provided a horse ranch. The shepherd-driver himself owned only a saddle and a bridle. On only the most fortunate and successful were spent on their own horses.

So what about weapons and ammo? US gun prices in the 19th century century are well known, including thanks to numerous surviving advertising booklets and store catalogs of that era. After Civil War, the simplest options for revolvers like "Iver Johnson" or "A.J. Aubrey" cost from 3 to 6 dollars. For comparison a pocket Deringer cost about $50. used army "Colt .44 Army" sold for about $ 15, and the same a used Colt 1851 Navy was already $20. At the same time, the price of such revolvers could take off 3-5 times in case of tuning, for example, an engraved handle (show-offs are more expensive than money!). And some a brand new army "Colt Walker" without show-off cost from 120 to 150 dollars depending on the state!

Double-barreled shotgun 20 caliber cost about 10-20 dollars in Texas in the 1880s. The most budget options for guns, for example, a second-hand "Champion", cost about 6 dollars, at that time how the same brand new shotgun would cost a cowboy alreadyat 6-15 dollars. Single-shot smoothbore guns of the first half of the 19th century were sold at 3-5 dollars per piece. Rifle model "Yellowboy" from the brand Winchester cost from 25 dollars. And here are the prices for the legendary Model 1873, present today in literally EVERY western, cost from 40 to 100 dollars.

As for the cartridges, they cost a lot. Rifle ammunition for multi-shotguns was usually sold in 20 pieces. The price depended on the caliber, but on average a pack of two dozen cost at 50 cents. Cartridges for revolvers of army models cost from 5 centers per piece. Cartridges for rifles cost from 10-12 cents apiece. Thus, taking into account the average cowboy salary, we can say that shepherds and distillers in that era did not fatten. However, at all times the vast majority of working people were paid, as they say, “exactly on pants support.