When I was 14 my dad bought me my first “deer rifle”, an Enfield “Jungle carbine”, never fired, had to push the cosmoline out of the barrel, $25 dollars. The same Surplus store had barrels of seriously used Mausers for $5 each and barrels of “better” Mauser for $10. They didn’t sell like hot cakes.
I remember those days! Cash and carry. No paperwork. Pre-1968 GCA. You could pick one up at the gun store, hardware store, gas station, clothing store, grocery store, saddle shop, kitchen table....
Need ammo for deer hunting? the store would break open a box and sell you three or four rounds...
Then bobby Kennedy got shot and the MSM went berzerk against gun ownership.