Sturm Ruger No. 1B Single Shot Rifle .223 Remington 26” Falling Block Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: LSB250718LT097
Make: Sturm Ruger & Co.
Model: No. 1B
Serial Number: 132-35592
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Caliber: .223 Remington
Action Type: Single Shot Breech Loading, Falling Block, Lever actuated
Markings: The left side of the chamber is marked, “CAL. .223”. The top of the barrel is marked, “BEFORE USING GUN-READ WARNINGS IN INSTRUCTION MANUAL AVAILABLE FREE FROM STURM, RUGER & CO. INC., SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The bottom of the receiver is marked, “132-35592”. There is a circled PR proof mark on the left side of the chamber. The top of the receiver is marked, “RUGER No. 1”.
Barrel Length: 26” from Muzzle to Breech.
Sights / Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. The top of the barrel is mounted with a quarter rib, and is mounted with 1” blued Ruger rings.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece checkered walnut with traditional capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, sling rings front and rear, and a red rubber buttpad. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks show no notable signs of wear. The checkering is sharp on both the wrist and the forend. The finish on the stock is strong throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The stocks fit the frame tightly, with no play. Overall, the stocks rate in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99%+ of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows no notable wear. The bluing is deep and dark throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger has a crisp and clean break. The lever lockup is strong. This rifle comes with a tang mounted safety, and it functions correctly. 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: This rifle comes with the scope rings as mentioned above.
Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1B is a modern classic in single-shot sporting rifles — a falling-block design that quickly established a reputation for elegant simplicity, rigid lockup, and excellent inherent accuracy. Chambered here in .223 Remington with a 26″ quarter-rib barrel and fitted with Ruger-style 1″ rings, this 1981 example wears the model’s characteristic clean lines and purposeful appointments: capped pistol-grip walnut stocks, sling rings fore and aft, and a lever-actuated block that speaks directly to accuracy-minded varminters and hunters who prize single-shot precision over volume. Ruger’s late-1970s/early-1980s production of the No. 1 blends practical utility with collector appeal, and this rifle fits squarely into that tradition.
Cosmetically and mechanically the rifle is outstanding. The metal retains better than 99% of its original deep blue, with crisp screw heads, clear markings, and an unmarred receiver stamped “RUGER No. 1”; the two-piece checkered walnut stocks are sharp, free of chips or cracks, and fit the action tightly with a 13 5/8″ LOP. The bore is excellent — bright with deep, sharp rifling and rates 10/10 in this writer’s opinion — and the action functions as intended: crisp trigger break, strong lever lockup, and a properly functioning tang safety. The included blued 1″ Ruger rings add practical value for mounting optics and preserve the rifle’s ready-to-shoot nature.
For the Ruger collector or serious varmint hunter this No. 1B represents a nearly new, ready-to-use example of one of Ruger’s finest single-shot designs. Its near-complete finish retention, excellent stocks, and a textbook bore make it equally attractive as a highlight in a Ruger-focused collection or as a first-rate field rifle for precision small-game work. The combination of presentation and performance will appeal to buyers who want a rifle that looks right in the safe and shoots even better on the prairie. Please check out our high quality photos, and good luck on your bids! – J.D.
