Ruger #1 No. 1 01327 22″ .45-70 Gov’t Single-Shot Falling-Block Rifle, 1999

SOLD FOR: $1,250.00

WOA#: WY240415EH209

Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Model: No. 1 (Model #01327)

Serial Number: 133-57843

Year of Manufacture: 1999 (Ruger Serial Number Lookup)

Caliber: .45-70 Gov’t

Action Type: Falling Block Single Shot Rifle

Markings: 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 “.45-70 GOVT.” 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 “133-57843”.

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade in-line dovetailed to a banded ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a quarter-rib screwed to the rear of the barrel. A folding “U”-notch rear sight is dovetailed to the rib; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation, has a white diamond aiming reference, and can be reversed to present a square notch. The rib is cut for Ruger rings (none present).

Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with schnabel-tip forend, capped pistol grip, straight comb and black rubber Ruger buttpad. There is a sling stud in the belly and a sling mount on a band in front of the forend. There is a small compression on the bottom-right of the forend toward the rear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad. The pad has light wear and a little discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are tiny spots of faint oxidation on the barrel to the left of the rib. There is some stubborn dried grease on the breech-block. The action has minor operational wear. The screws are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in 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 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 rifle pattern—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. The work designers and manufacturers such as Harry Sefried, Lenard Brownell, and Larry Larson created resulted in a rather timeless firearm that allows the common shooter to do as was done in times past—a slower, more deliberate hunt with an elegant weapon.

This example hails from 1999 and is in Excellent condition. It is chambered for .45-70 Gov’t, making it useful for big game up to elk. The Ruger No. 1 is a handsome rifle that feels nice in the hand—the traditional hunter would do well to make a play for this rifle. Good luck and happy bidding!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud