John, I've always found the cost of a gun vs its ammo to be interesting. Put another way, how many bullets would it take to equal the expense of the gun that fires them? With some of todays mass produced bolt guns in pricey calibers it can be as low as 120-150 rounds!

I finally found the reprint of Jeffery's 1905 catalog I mentioned. Here are some prices:

Winchester 1893 12 gauge pump.................5L
12 gauge ball and shot gun.......................15-45 for best quality
8 bore ball and shot.................................35 for hammerless, 30 with hammer
above gun, best quality, well engraved........55 hammerless, 50 with hammers
hammerless bar action toplever in 450/400...60 with ejectors, 55 w/o engraving
above gun, plain finish..............................30 extractor, 35 ejector
single shot 450/400.................................25 best quality, 15 normal
450 #2 boxlock.......................................35 extractor, 40 ejector
600N underlever......................................65 best, 50 No2 quality, ammo .5 per 100rds
600N backaction hammer jones underlever....57.1 best, 40 No2 quality
303 bolt action.........................................7.1
303 martini..............................................4.1
303 cartridges, nickel covered.....................0.14 per 100
broomhandle mauser..................................5

Bob