Ruger No. 1 200th Year of Liberty .243 Win. 22 INCH Single Shot Rifle, MFD 1976
SOLD FOR: $1,726
LSB#: 200207DE18
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: No. 1, 200th Year of American Liberty Edition
Serial Number: 130-23911
Year of Manufacture: 1976 (https://ruger.com/service/productHistory/RI-No1.html)
Caliber: .243 Win.
Action Type: Falling Block Action with Farquharson Lever and Internal Hammer
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.243 WIN.” and with a circled “PR” proof mark at the frame, the midsection is marked “MADE IN THE 200th YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY”. The top of the barrel is marked “STURM, RUGER & CO INC., SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER” in a banner with “No. 1” below it. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed parallel to the barrel into a ramped barrel band riser. The rear sight is a flip-up sight with a “U” notched metal fitting with a reference triangle and screws for fine elevation adjustment. The rear sight is dovetailed into the rail that is installed on the barrel. The rail is currently installed with a pair of Ruger rings.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece checkered pistol grip walnut stocks have a steel grip cap with Ruger logo, solid orange rubber Ruger buttpad, and a sling swivel stud on the toe-line (the other stud is barrel mounted). There are very few faint compressions and a couple little marks through the finish. The defects are few and far between and hardly noticeable. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad which has little wear from standard use. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is some thinning on the edges. There are a few little marks on the lever and a very small scrape on its left side. There are some rubs and small marks from standard use. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The single shot falling block action with internal hammer and Farquharson lever and shotgun style tang safety functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included are the installed Ruger rings.
Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1 was introduced in 1967 and, at first, is an odd design choice for a modern rifle. Repeating rifles of many different designs had become the norm by the late ’60s and the single shot, much less the falling-block single-shot, was on the outs with most hunters and even target shooters. The brilliant success of the Ruger No. 1 comes from its embodiment of Ruger’s design philosophy. It is simple, it is durable, it is reliable. It doesn’t hurt that it’s gorgeous, too! One of its designers, Lenard Brownell, said he had tried several times to blow one up, but couldn’t (https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/2/5/a-look-back-at-the-ruger-no-1/). It has been chambered in nearly 50 different cartridges and continues to be made and sold to this day. This example appears to have seen more time inside the safe than out and is in Excellent condition with a great bore and strong mechanics. This example is chambered in .243 Winchester and would do well hunting deer, varmints, or even hogs. With its flat trajectory and high velocity, this may be the perfect rifle for your next plains hunt. It ought to make a fine hunting rifle for the lucky winner. Please see our photos and good luck!