It was brought up in another thread how, during the Great Depression, $39 might have been a very large sum of money for a revolver, when money was scarce. This is the discounted price, as mine sold for in 1937. It shipped to a William P Kruse, 305 Sip Ave, Jersey City, New Jersey.

Here is that property today, clearly an older residence, I believe previous research indicated it was built in 1898. It's likely a multi-family tenement, hardly palatial: 305 Sip Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306 Property Record & Valuation | Real Estate & Homes For Sale

The purchaser was 25 years old in 1937. When I was 25 years old, money was scarce. Sure, some folks are given money and are rich young, but living in a residence such as this suggests that was not the case. Probably this individual, after having seen and handled his brother's new revolver, decided he had to have one of his own. Here is his brother's revolver: https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...agnum-revolver

His brother didn't live high on the hog, either! He also resided on Sip Ave, in another residence. My guess is, after handling his brother's revolver, he had saved a bit of money and could purchase his own Registered Mgnum 2 mos and 4 days later (as shipped), or had to beg, borrow, or steal the remainder, LOL!

So, the conclusion is, here are two younger individuals of modest means, living in very modest housing, even by 1937 standards, each the proud owners of Registered Magnum revolvers.

Attached is the specifics regarding this revolver, giving the original owner's address, and a few photographs of this Registered Magnum.

Attached Images

	305 Sip Ave.jpg (14.2 KB, 197 views)
	53336 No 1.jpg (19.7 KB, 219 views)
	5336 No 2.jpg (19.6 KB, 173 views)
	5336 No 6.jpg (20.0 KB, 164 views)

Exactly. If an LEO had to buy his own quality gun today, it wouldn't be that hard to save for a Glock or even a Kimber or various custom shop gun. It's all about your priorities.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Even though prohibition had ended by that time it is also possible that they were involved in organized crime.

However, as has been said, having the right priorities can make up for many limitations.

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Only a cold warrior

It also appears that neither could afford to shoot either gun very much however.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Very nice, that's almost $695 in today's currency.

Have you checked the census records to determine their occupations?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have said many times before, I can have virtually anything I want, I just cannot have everything I want.

I could not definitively locate them in the 1940 Census.

Looks like a fairly nice section of Jersey City.

You must be correct concerning the 'Reg Mag' for the common man. Seems recall seeing photos of "Reds" marchers on Park Ave, N.Y. Bearing their banners: "Bread, Work & Registered Mags!" Sorry, I couldn't resist.
The formula of direct conversion of dollars in terms of comparative purchasing power, only a part of the story. "Disposable income" a more critical measure. Such and expenses associated with job, family and life in that era. Many generational families, stacked together housing,
achieving economies. The comparisons of giving up what of the common man for such luxury At the time, a big plus for any home was still a radio. My 1929 Zenith Model 29A specimen, costing a whopping $500 and the most deluxe Spanish cabinet of same model with electric record player... As I recall, "conspicuous consumption" at about $2K! That opulence, 'last of the Mohicans' as huge radios and cabinets fading instantly with Black Friday! A different world emerged. The typified guy on the corner with "Buddy can you spare a dime...?" And hope in Roosevelt's "two chicken in every pot promise of the future. One reg mag and not even a pot to pee in!
Just to say that, beyond possibly 'working guns', seriously doubt the Reg Mag ever an average "working man's gun". Average working guns to match!
Just my oratorical take!
John

Very Nice!
The original owner had good taste, ordering a fine set of options: magna grips, gold bead Call front sight, King rear sight, and the long barrel,....appropriately sighted to 100 yds.
Great job on researching the back story. Goes to show what a motivated young guy can get for himself here in "The Land of Opportunity!"

As far as his living in a "nice" part of Jersey City, that's a relative term. Maybe things were different back then, but today, Jersey City has a worse crime rate than 82% of all communities in NJ (and, that's sayin' something!)
Of course, if Mr. Kruse and his brother were packin' these babies, perhaps they helped contribute to a more "polite society".

That RM in the Rock Island auction is an amazing package, too! The closing price on the auction is, in all probability, greater than the value of the house his brother lived in at the time! (Something to think about!)

Thank you for sharing this beauty, and the history!

That is very likely. Historically, ammunition has been relatively expensive. The notion of going target shooting is only a fairly recent one.

In the old days, one shot = one deer, or whatever species you were hunting.

$39.00 in the depression era translates into approx. $750.00 today.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

There is this idea that a Registered Magnum is a rich man's gun. Perhaps this is based on what they sell for today.

Various on line calculators suggest that $39 in 1937 is still worth well under $1000 today.

So, virtually anyone with a job is going to be able to afford one--IF they want one. It's a matter of priorities, and there were certainly cheaper options available at the time.

But, a lot of folks were unemployed then, so the cheapest of options might seem expensive.

Also, a Registered Magnum today looks and feels like the $5000+ gun it is today. Anyone who handles one and marvels at the craftsmanship knows that it cannot be produced to sell at $750. Maybe Smith & Wesson could produce these today and sell at significantly less than used ones sell for, but it's still going to be a several thousand dollar gun. Conversely, handle a new production $750 gun today and it isn't even close to a Registered Magnum.

So, it's indeed possible that William Kruse was impressed with his brother's Registered Magnum in May, saved a few dollars, and was able to pay for it in full by July. Or, he had the money saved already.

Just one more thing to think about. Today, studies have shown that most Americans cannot come up with $400 to cover an emergency. Interpolating, that's about $20 in 1937. So, $39 still might have seemed like a lot to many.

In the movie Paper Moon, Addie, as a 9 year old, wanting her $200. For a Depression era movie, a princely sum indeed!

"...two chicken in every pot promise of the future."

Herbert Hoover's promise was "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage."

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I found William and Robert Kruse Jr. living at 306 Sip Ave at the 1930 census, along with father Robert and mother Jennie, and another younger brother Morgan.

Robert was 26 years old, and a radio repairer, and William was 18 and a clerical worker.

The 1940 census still shows father and mother and son Morgan living at 306 Sip Ave . I couldn't find William or Robert Jr. in 1940.

Many RMs were purchased by distributors. These guns may have been for stock, or for individuals, but if so, they are not identified.

Bill

Since he was a man of modest means living in modest housing, how was he able to get the gun for $39? The 'normal' price back then was $60, and the military and police were able to get them at around $43. Why was his cheaper than what others had to pay? Did he have some connection with the S&W people? Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it.

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John
SWCA #3401 SWHF #737

If you belonged to the NRA or USRA, or other similar organisation, you got a discount. It appears that was 35%, as that's the difference between $39 and $60.

Wish a deal like that existed today.

Even during the Great Depression, there were those who could not be considered wealthy but still held good jobs at good pay (for the time) who could easily have afforded a RM if they wanted. Just not too many of them. My father was fortunate to have gone through the entire Depression era holding a pretty good job (he was an accountant), and he made enough to take care of his family comfortably. But he also had a sister and her husband, their child, plus his mother who lived in the basement of our house because they had no jobs and nowhere else to live. I don't think he was unique in that regard. Many homes sheltered relatives in need in addition to the immediate family.

Those who lived through the Depression as adults were different from most adults today. They knew the value of thrift and not buying frivolous things just because you wanted them. My father taught me a lot about that. He was always adamant about not buying anything that wasn't essential, and even then, not to go into debt for it. He was never known, until the day he died, to have bought anything unless he had the cash to pay for it, and had never taken out a loan for anything. He didn't even like writing checks.

Name: William F. Kruse
SSN: 137-03-3915
Last Residence:
07029 Harrison, Hudson, New Jersey, USA
Born: 23 Aug 1912
Died: 2 Jun 1999

Name: Robert Kruse
SSN: 137-01-7909
Last Residence:
35803 Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, USA
Born: 23 Jan 1904
Last Benefit: 35803, Huntsville, Madison, Alabama, United States of America
Died: Feb 1983
State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (Before 1951)

They’re only for the wealthy, or the very fortunate, now . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It all depends upon your priorities. I have had engines that cost more than the car they were installed in and I have never been even close to being wealthy. Same thing with guns.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Or folks who prioritized..... and spent their $$s to get the best tool for the job ..... they could "afford" / justify.........................

Wow, I'm impressed!

RMs were the top of the line then, but a lowly M&P from the 20s or 30s looks like a Swiss watch inside.

The only thing better than a gun is a Swiss watch or a woman from anywhere (Red River). They weren't talking about the current run of polymer products.

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I need ammo, not a ride.