In House Shipping:
Make: Sturm Ruger & Co.
Model: No. 1 Single Shot Rifle
Serial Number: 131-10988
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Caliber: .45-70 Govt.
Action Type: Single Shot Breech Loading, Falling Block, Lever actuated
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.45-70 Govt.” with a PR proof. The top of the barrel is marked “STURM, RUGER & CO, INC., SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A.”. The top of the receiver is marked “RUGER / No.1”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “131-10988”. The bottom of the grip has a Ruger Logo. The buttpad has a Ruger Logo.
Barrel Length: 22”.
Sights / Optics: The top of the barrel has a quarter rib rail with Ruger scope ring provisions. The front sight is a brass beaded blade screwed to a raised fluted base on top of the barrel. The rear sight is a flip up fully adjustable u notch leaf sight with a white diamond under the notch, dovetailed to the scope rail.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, sling stud in the belly of the buttstock, and rubber buttpad. There is a sling stud banded to the barrel. There is little to no handling wear. The checkering is crisp and the peaks are sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp and sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The screw heads are undamaged. The markings are clear. There are faint scattered storage marks. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lever lockup is strong. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements. Tang Safety.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Ruger No. 1 is a modern classic among American single-shot rifles, blending timeless design with robust engineering and precision manufacturing. Introduced in the late 1960s, the No. 1 utilizes a falling block action inspired by 19th-century big-game rifles, updated with Ruger's reliable tang safety, stout construction, and elegant wood-to-metal fit. This particular rifle, chambered in the powerful .45-70 Government and manufactured in 1977, is a pre-warning example—desirable for its clean barrel rollmarks and early production quality. This No. 1 is a superb example of the model’s aesthetic and functional excellence. The checkered walnut stock is beautifully figured and crisp, with sharp peaks and virtually no signs of handling wear. The 22” blued barrel retains about 98% of its finish, with only faint evidence of storage or use. The bore is in outstanding condition, bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, rating a 9.5/10. The rifle is equipped with a brass-beaded blade front sight and a fully adjustable rear sight, dovetailed into the integral quarter rib scope base—making it ready for either iron sight use or optics with Ruger’s proprietary rings. The action locks up tightly and operates smoothly, a testament to the design’s enduring reliability.
For collectors and hunters alike, the Ruger No. 1 in .45-70 offers a perfect combination of strength, grace, and serious power. Whether used for North American big game, black powder substitute loads, or simply admired for its craftsmanship, this pre-warning 1977 example is a fine addition to any sporting arms collection. It represents the enduring legacy of single-shot rifles in the modern era and is as capable in the field today as it was the day it left Southport nearly half a century ago.