Sturm Ruger No. 1 Single Shot Rifle .243 Win. 20” Falling Block Rifle, 1992
SOLD FOR: $1,175.00
LSB#: LSB250528MY049
Make: Sturm Ruger & Co.
Model: No. 1
Serial Number: 132-93446
Year of Manufacture: 1992 (https://ruger.com/dataProcess/serialHistory/)
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Single Shot Breech Loading, Falling Block, Lever actuated
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with Ruger’s 2-Line warning & Southport address. The left side of the barrel is marked “.243 WIN.”. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER / NO. 1”. The bottom left side of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade, pinned to the integral barrel ring. The rear sight is an adjustable flip-up U-notch sight with a white triangle aiming reference, dovetailed to the quarter rib. The quarter rib is set up for Ruger style rings.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two-piece checkered walnut stock set, with a capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, red rubber buttpad, a checkered full-length Mannlicher forend with integral sling ring, and a sling stud in the belly of the buttstock. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks show light to moderate wear, with scattered scratches, dings, dents and scuffs throughout. The buttstock is loose. The forend, however, fits tight to the barrel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stocks rate in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is corrosion and pitting from the muzzle down a couple of inches in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light to moderate surface corrosion and pitting on the barrel, quarter rib, sling stud/ring, trigger guard/lever, top and bottom tangs, and the falling block. The markings are clear and legible. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in Poor to Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, as does the tang safety. We did not fire this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1 was introduced as Ruger’s modern interpretation of the classic single-shot falling-block rifle, praised for its simple, strong action and inherent accuracy, and it has been popular with hunters and precision shooters seeking a classic, single-shot platform. Chambered here in .243 Winchester, this cartridge was developed by Winchester in the 1950s as a high-velocity, flat-shooting small-game and varmint cartridge that quickly gained favor among hunters for its excellent external ballistics and versatility on medium-sized game when loaded appropriately.
The action on this Ruger No. 1 single-shot falling block rifle functions as intended, as does the tang safety. The two-piece checkered walnut stocks fit the action tightly except the buttstock, which is loose, and the forend fits the barrel tightly. The metal retains approximately 85% of its original blued finish with light to moderate surface corrosion and localized pitting present on the barrel, quarter rib, sling stud/ring, trigger guard/lever, top and bottom tangs, and the falling block. The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling but shows corrosion and pitting for a couple of inches from the muzzle and rates approximately 7.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. Overall, this rifle presents in Poor to Fair condition cosmetically. This Ruger No. 1 is an ideal candidate for a restoration project, or for parts. Please check out our high quality photos, and good luck on your bids! – J.D.
