Ok. I admit that was a little bit of clickbait. In 1902 the Sears Catalogue was advertising "revolutionary flint lock muskets" for 2.65$. They were used and sourced from Europe somewhere. Probably not a Brown Bess, but perhaps a version of the Potzdam musket that would have seen use in the Revolutionary War on our side.
In this advertisement what is interesting to note is that it is being sold as a shooter. Potentially as a shotgun. Also the price is 2.65$. A Marlin .30-30 during this time was 12.60$
I have gotten asked at many events how much a Brown Bess/Kentucky rifle cost, when did they stop making Kentucky rifles, etc and so on.
So apparently as of 1902 people somewhere in the US were still likely using muzzleloaders to hunt. Which is in line with my own research about Kentucky Rifles being used in Appalachia until the early 1900s.
https://archive.org/details/catalogueno11200sear/page/302/mode/2up?view=theater
I'll give you $3 right now for one. %)
ChatGPT says $2.65 in 1902 would equate to "about $99.39 in June 2025 dollars." That's a steal.
Kinda like the
Mosin nagant of 1902.
I have a sears branded 30-30 i wish only cost $12.60 ;D