RUGER No. 1 #1 Boddington Africa Adventure Series Complete Boxed Set 19/250

SOLD FOR: $9650

LSB#: 220409KL015, 220409KL016, 220409KL017, 220409KL018, 220409KL019

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: No. 1 (Models #11332, #11334, #11335, #11342, #11343; Catalog Nos. 1-S Lion, 1-H Buffalo, 1-S Kudu, 1-A Leopard, 1-H Elephant)

Serial Numbers: CB1-00019, CB2-00019, CB3-00019, CB4-00019, CB5-00019

Year of Manufacture: 2008-2010 (Ruger Serial Number Lookup)

Calibers: .375 Ruger, .450/400 Nitro, .300 Holland & Holland Magnum, 7x57mm, and .450 3 1/4” Nitro

Action Type: Falling Block Single Shot Rifle

Markings:

(KL015) The top of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning over “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “375 RUGER” and a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER” in a decorative ribbon over “No. 1”. The underside left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “CB1-00019”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with the company’s phoenix logo.

(KL016) The stop of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning over “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “450/400 N.E.3” and a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER” in a decorative ribbon over “No. 1”. The underside left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “CB2-00019”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with the company’s phoenix logo.

(KL017) The stop of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning over “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “.300 H&H MAG.” and a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER” in a decorative ribbon over “No. 1”. The underside left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “CB3-00019”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with the company’s phoenix logo.

(KL018) The stop of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning over “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “7×57” and a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER” in a decorative ribbon over “No. 1”. The underside left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “CB4-00019”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with the company’s phoenix logo.

(KL019) The stop of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning over “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “450 N.E. 3-1/4”” and a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER” in a decorative ribbon over “No. 1”. The underside left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “CB5-00019”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with the company’s phoenix logo.

Barrel Length: 22”, 24”, 26”, 22”, 24”

Sights/Optics: Each rifle is equipped with express sights; the front sights are white beaded blades in-line dovetailed into ramped banded bases that are fixed to the front of each barrel, and the rear sights are v-posts dovetailed into the forward portion of a barrel rib. Each rib is notched for the included Warne brand optic rings. Please note, NO optics are included with any of the five rifles.

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered Circassian Walnut with capped pistol grip, Henry forend, fluted straight comb, and textured black rubber buttpad. There are sling studs on the belly of the buttstock and on the underside of the barrel ring. Each stock has only minor handling marks but otherwise all are free of any notable wear or damage. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering for each is sharp. The LOP is 13 1/4”, 13 1/2”, 13 1/2”, 13 1/2”, and 13 3/4” respectively, from the front of the triggers to the back of the pads. Each pad has light wear in the form of minor discoloration; the rubber is still supple across all the pads. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: KL015-18 have a “Hawkeye” Matte Blue finish, while KL019 has a Matte Blue finish

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: Each bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bores, but the 450 N.E. 3-1/4” bore does have a bit of stubborn fouling along its lands.

Overall Condition: Each rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. While KL015-18 have only minimal handling wear, KL019, the 450 N.E. 3-1/4” rifle does have some light wear in the finish visible on the receiver flats. Otherwise, each rifle has only minor indications of handling wear. All screws have minor tool marks with strong slots, and all markings are clear. Overall, these rifles rates in Excellent condition. Just a gorgeous set.

Mechanics: The actions function correctly. We did not fire these rifles. As with all used firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork and Accessories: Each of these rifles includes its serial-matching factory cardboard box, a pair of Warne optic rings, a security lock, a manual, and—save for the Kudu rifle—a pair of Quick Detach “QD” sling swivels. Please note, these swivels are not presently installed.

Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1 was introduced in 1967 and seems an odd design choice for what is effectively a modern rifle. Repeating rifles of many different designs had become the norm by the late ’60s and the single shot rifle pattern—certainly the falling-block single-shot—was seemingly on the outs with most hunters and target shooters. The brilliant success of the Ruger No. 1 comes from its embodiment of Ruger’s design philosophy: simple, durable, reliable. The work of designers and manufacturers such as Harry Sefried, Lenard Brownell, and Larry Larson resulted in a timeless firearm that allows the shooter a slower, more deliberate hunt with an elegant weapon. One of the No. 1’s true fans was Craig Boddington, noted large game hunter and gun writer. He has a long history with the Ruger No. 1, having used it in various calibers to hunt large game on several continents. In a Guns & Ammo article from 2017, Boddington said, “I can’t tell you how many Ruger No. 1s I’ve owned, or how many test rifles I wish I had bought.” In 2008, Boddington would collaborate with Ruger and Lipsey’s on this set of No. 1 rifles, all of which are chambered in “African calibers”, all of which Boddington had used in the course of hunting. The result is a series of animal themed rifles including buffalo and Kudu, and the rifles are so named. In Boddington’s own words, “I have all five and have hunted with them: 7×57, .300 H&H, .375 Ruger, .450/.400-3-inch and .450-3¼-inch Nitro Express. The .300 H&H is the single most accurate No. 1 I’ve ever owned. In that light rifle, the .450 is one of the hardest-kicking guns I’ve ever owned.” Each of these rifles has clearly been fired, with all bores having benefited at the time of writing from a cursory cleaning, but otherwise, they have been well tended and are, without exaggeration, gorgeous. Only 250 sets were ever produced, and rifles within the set were given the same serial number with a sequential prefix, “CB1” through “CB5”, and this set was the 19th manufactured overall by Ruger. The rifles were also sold individually, so a sequential matching set is a rarity within a rarity. Note that the .300 H&H rifle was the first time a No. 1 was chambered for that cartridge, and is itself highly desired. The Ruger No. 1 is a timeless and dependable rifle that provides a distinct and purposeful hunting experience. Boddington said of the No. 1, “There’s one… thing… about the single-shot rifle concept that, although purely psychological, actually has tremendous impact: You know that, in all likelihood, you’re only going to get one shot. That makes you extra careful,” Good luck and happy bidding!

RUGER No. 1 #1 Boddington Africa Adventure Series Complete Boxed Set 19/250
RUGER No. 1 #1 Boddington Africa Adventure Series Complete Boxed Set 19/250