Early Pre-Warning Ruger No. 1 26″ 6mm Remington Single Shot Rifle, 1968 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,580.00
LSB#: LSB250708MS031
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: No. 1
Serial Number: 3031
Year of Manufacture: 1968 (Ruger Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: 6mm Remington
Action Type: Falling Block Single Shot Rifle
Barrel Length: 26″
Sights/Optics: There is no provision for iron sights on this rifle. The barrel has a quarter-rib that is cut for Ruger rings (none present).
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, semi-beavertail forend, straight comb, and orange rubber Ruger buttpad. The stocks have a few light marks, most notable are a vertical scratch on the left cheek of the wrist and light scratching near the heel on the right. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad shows light handling marks and some discoloration. Overall, the stocks rate in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The balace is mostly in surface erosion along the left-rear edge of the receiver, most notable at the top corner. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks and minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1 was introduced in 1967 and at first blush seems 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—certainly the falling-block single-shot—was 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. It has been chambered in nearly 50 different cartridges and continues to be manufactured and sold to this day. This example is in Fine condition, chambered for the 6mm Remington cartridge and is from the second year of overall production. This early example has a four-digit serial number and was introduced before Ruger implemented their three-digit prefix serial scheme or their warning markings. This rifle can take just about any game in North America and would make a nice long-distance target rifle as well. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
