Ruger No. 1 #1 Tropical .458 Winchester Magnum Single Shot Rifle, MFD 1979
SOLD FOR: $1575
LSB#: 220116RC002
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: No. 1 Tropical
Serial Number: 131-48078
Year of Manufacture: 1979 (Ruger Serial Number Lookup)
Caliber: .458 Win Mag
Action Type: Falling Block Single Shot Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with a Ruger warning and “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked with “.458 WIN. MAG.” and a Ruger proof mark. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER / No. 1”. The underside left of the receiver is marked with the serial number “131-48078”. The grip cap and buttpad are marked with the company’s phoenix logo.
Barrel Length: 24” with Mag-na-Port style porting.
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base screwed to the barrel at the muzzle. The rear sight is a flip up u-notch dovetailed into the optic rail. The barrel is drilled and tapped with an optic rail installed that is notched for Ruger rings (none included).
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a two-piece checkered wood with semi pistol grip and forend, fluted straight comb, and black rubber Decelerator buttpad. There are sling swivels on the belly of the buttstock and forward barrel band. There are a few minor patches of thinning to the finish, notable just behind the upper tang. There are a few minor scratches and compressions, but nothing major in our opinion. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad has moderate handling marks and some light discoloration. Overall, the stock rates in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are minor scuffs and surface scratches scattered throughout. The receiver is starting to take on a light plum hue. The screws show light tool marks with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine – Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, 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 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, manufactured in 1979 with the HARD HITTING 458 Win Mag cartridge. The cartridge is suitable for the largest North American game and it is perfect for having on hand, just in case you make it to Africa one day.