Um... CCW a broomhandle?
Okay. What about when you aren't wearing an overcoat?
Hmmm, I wasn't around back then, but I "ACTUALLY" have a Boston Bulldog in .38. Think it's Iver Johnson, lockup is really loose, one of the cylinder chambers is bad. If it were tighter, I could see it employed.
I now have a second Mauser 1914 on the way.
Even if it was so in 1940, I'll bet it wasn't widely known, and certainly not practiced, particularly in urban areas. Up until very recently, (c. 2004) carrying openly in WI would get you proned out on the ground, and WI has had legal open carry since statehood in 1848. It still might, if openly carrying a long gun (also legal since 1848) in an urban or suburban area., no need to Ohio is an open carry state
Ohio’s OC dates back to the 1890’s and I have no doubt the laws in more populated areas were applied differently than in the country, but I can remember riding my bike or motorcycle with the .22 on my belt while trapping back in the 70’s without issue.Even if it was so in 1940, I'll bet it wasn't widely known, and certainly not practiced, particularly in urban areas. Up until very recently, (c. 2004) carrying openly in WI would get you proned out on the ground, and WI has had legal open carry since statehood in 1848. It still might, if openly carrying a long gun (also legal since 1848) in an urban or suburban area.
If money was an issue both Iver Johnson (their 1900) and Harrington and Richardson (their models 4 and 5) were available in .32 S&W , 32 S&W Long and .38 S&W for less than $9 from Stoeger in 1939.I think that most of us would have been disappointed, not in our choices, but in our ability to purchase what was available.
The United States, and most of the world, was coming out of the Great Depression in 1940. Unless you came from a wealthy family or were a gangster, your purchasing power was quite small. The post-war boom of the 50's led to a situation where we could drive new cars, own our own homes, and have discretionary income to buy firearms and ammunition.
And as I stated previously, $9 was a lot of money for the men who were enlisting for $21 per month.If money was an issue both Iver Johnson (their 1900) and Harrington and Richardson (their models 4 and 5) were available in .32 S&W , 32 S&W Long and .38 S&W for less than $9 from Stoeger in 1939.
And as I stated previously, $9 was a lot of money for the men who were enlisting for $21 per month.
Well I don’t live in the city and don’t work in an office. You can’t make me wear a coat unless it less than 40 degrees and only outside, and I only dress up for church and funerals. So I’d have most likely had a blue collar job and been wearing something like this everyday.
View attachment 788393
Not sure what was available for holsters in the day but I’d most likely be pocket carrying or not at all. A holster inside a pair of overalls would work nice
Median means that 1/2 of the folks were making less than that, sometimes much less.I believe that was only for the first 4 months. The median income in 1940 was $80 a month. Surely most people could find a way to afford a gun that was 1/9th of there monthly salary. I have bought guns that were 2 weeks pay.