£5 million to cut the arms of the 42nd Foot in 1759?

[Frasers78th]

On 14 March 1759, the 42nd Foot paid "sundry blacksmiths" £48.13.0 to cut short the regimental arms of those serving in North America. One currency convertor from The National Archives, UK suggests a cost of about £5 million in 2017 money, which I find rather excessive.

What do you think?

Regards,
Jeff

 

[LongWalker]

Isn't that "four thousand nine hundred eighty four" pounds and change"?

 

[Frasers78th]

Isn't that "four thousand nine hundred eighty four" pounds and change"?

Thank you, LongWalker, for pointing out exactly how ignorant I can be. I knew £5 million sounded rather excessive.

Now, to go see about a new prescription from my optometrist.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[Pearson]

I think you'll find that to be forty-eight pounds, thirteen shillings and zero pence.
"Money was divided into pounds (£ or l in some documents) shillings (s. or /-) and pennies (d.). Thus, 4 pounds, eight shillings and fourpence would be written as £4/8/4d. or £4-8-4d."

http://www.historyhome.co.uk/peel/economic/currency.htmHope that's helpful.
Pearson

 

[springfield art]

On 14 March 1759, the 42nd Foot paid "sundry blacksmiths" £48.13.0 to cut short the regimental arms of those serving in North America. One currency convertor from The National Archives, UK suggests a cost of about £5 million in 2017 money, which I find rather excessive.

What do you think?

Regards,
Jeff

View attachment 94228

View attachment 94229

Nah! Conversion schmersion, I don't think they spent that amount at the time.

 

[Frasers78th]

Agreed. I read incorrectly.

It looks as though the regiment spent just under £5 thousand in 2017 money. And considering the work involved shortening perhaps over 1000 rifles, well, that's not a bad rate.

Regards,

 

[springfield art]

Agreed. I read incorrectly.

It looks as though the regiment spent just under £5 thousand in 2017 money. And considering the work involved shortening perhaps over 1000 rifles, well, that's not a bad rate.

Regards,

Imagine how much it would cost via today's military contracting system! It would actually BE 5 million!

 

[Frasers78th]

While transcribing this accounting book, I just found another entry (March 1759) for shortening 24 firelocks at a cost of £2.2s, or 1s.9d each. In 2017 money, that is approximately £8.97 per unit, which is much more reasonable - any probably considered very cheap labor by today's standards. But I do agree with you at the outrageous rates the military pays today! It also looks as though there was a currency exchange rate commission paid of 3s.3d.

I do not know much about the firelocks of the French and Indian Wars; that if they had a front/forward sight and were shortened, what became of the sight?

Regards,
Jeff