older no.1

[roofinspector]

Last Saturday, I got to view an older No.1 at the local gunshop. Early version, no prefix, maybe a four digit serial or thereabouts.

It was in a No.1B type configuration to me, 22/250, right nice wood; fore and aft. Scoped with a Denver Redfield variable with the Ruger vertical rings. Rings were kinda clunky looking to me.

Was marked down from 1200 to 900. I usually just buy for the action, but the wood on this one was ok. I figure I would discard the barrel and rings, but use the scope on something else.

They have had it a long time, hence the mark down. In talking with the shop owner, he said he might take less to move it out. Condition is nice, no marks, but even at the discounted rate it is too high for most around here. No market for No.1's here except for a few shooter types.

Comments on a good deal, say at 600-650 or so, or....not? On the fence here, usually do not put much over 500 in a doner, but the wood is exceptional for these guns.

Roof

 

[gewehrfreund]

Some thoughts:
If you just want a donor, get a newer, non-collectible rifle. I feel this gun should stay as it is, even if it is a common caliber/configuration.

Yes it would be a very good deal at $650, and even at $900 - for a collector.

If you do buy it and dismember it, I would like to have first crack at the rings.

Lance

 

[picketpin]

Roof I know you don't collect but really, buy a cheaper more modern rifles for a project.

Once you remove the wood from the rifle, that it is serial numbered to, it loses value. The barrel you are so contempous of is a Match Grade Douglas if the factory installed one. Once you pull it out of there there is ZERO way to prove it's age and that it's a Douglas and all of a sudden it's just another $100 take off barrel.

Really be a shame to tear it apart even with 1000 or so made. Tell you what. You get him as low as you can and buy it and I'll send you an unfired "B" in a standard caliber from the 80s and pay the shipping and we'll swap.

Even in today crummy market it's a $900 rifle.

Heck I have a set of vertical rings for a non prefix, I could build a rifle around them.

Alternatively PM me the info and I'll negotiate with the guy and if I buy it I'll sell you a more modern/commo "Builder" for $600. AND pay the shipping.

Ross

 

[OldRugerMan]

Way to go Ross! Even though I'm not in the market for this rifle at the moment I'm glad you are willing to save it. It would be a crime to dismantle this non prefix rifle for a project, even just parting off the rings.

 

[gewehrfreund]

Roof,
As you can see, this is not the best place to suggest using a perfectly good non-prefix No, 1 as a donor rifle. If you lay down the cash that no one else in your area was willing to, you can obviously do whatever you want with the rifle, but I think you will find more than enough people here to take the rifle off your hands at a profit to you. Then you can buy a 134-prefix 1B in 7 Mag, etc to use as a donor.
LC

 

[Ruger1nut]

Though I agree with all these guys and what they are saying I also understand wanting to build a dream rifle with a non-prefix serial. If you have to cut up and old gun a 22-250 or 243 is the way to go.

I guess it depends on how hung up you are on the serial. If you are not than I am with these guys and suggest you buy it, sell it and make some money, then buy the cheapest one you can for the action and build what you want

Dave

 

[Heliman]

Though I agree with all these guys and what they are saying I also understand wanting to build a dream rifle with a non-prefix serial. If you have to cut up and old gun a 22-250 or 243 is the way to go.

I guess it depends on how hung up you are on the serial. If you are not than I am with these guys and suggest you buy it, sell it and make some money, then buy the cheapest one you can for the action and build what you want

Dave

++++++1

 

[roofinspector]

As I stated previously, the wood is exceptional(to me at least) on the rifle. Probably the only thing that has me still thinking about it. A Ruger action is a Ruger action to me.

Serial numbers, rariety, or whatever does not do it for me, but action steel and respective wood sometimes does. I seem to be fairly straightforward in my hobbies.

I figure that Ross and I both have bought No.1's for the 400-500 or less criteria, so being offered one at 600 does not overly excite me. There is always something about the bird in hand, not much at looking over the fence at suggested finery.

I have no interest in selling anything that I buy. I change out barrels mostly out of habit, being spoiled by my first custom barrel blank some time ago. That way, I know what the barrel is, and how it was done etc.

Last price was 900 which to me was kinda high. A more moderate price was mentioned in a casual conversation, but no specifics were offered, and I did not ask. It seems prudent to me to let the seller state the price, if the price sits ok, then the cash flows. Only if I am asked specificly what I would venture $-wise, do I talk a number. Just from the old school perhaps.

I will see the rifle again this weekend, if it is still there, will be surprised if it is not though. Really hope it is gone, I would done with it; the wood speaks to you at times.

I think it would make a dandy wildcat, with the factory wood, stainless barrel, and all; but suspect that time will tell if that comes to pass..................

I appreciate the comments from one and all, true I have no collector roots anymore. I do think of dream rifles though, keeps one going.

Roof

 

[gewehrfreund]

Here's a dandy donor with nice wood to boot!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=218697882

 

[picketpin]

SHHHHH. ;-) I have it bookmarked.

I have an AB that I could use the forearm on. Maybe stick that factory 7-08 Stainless barrel in the action. Won't even have to alter the extractor. Seems like there MIGHT be a "S" barrel Alex Henry Forearm around here.

Ross

 

[gewehrfreund]

Oops, sorry Ross. I thought I was the only one who schemed like that. HA!
Lance

 

[roofinspector]

Out of curosity, I looked at the link for the 30-06 on auction. Maybe not such a bad price, but one has to remember the other fees involved and add them in. At least it has a bid on it, I looked at the three other pages of No.1's and kinda sparse bidding, most with reserves, so those may or may not sell.

Not sure about the 7-08 factory barrel comment, think I would like a new rifle barrel blank personally.

Today I went back and looked at the early no.1. Still there, still 900. I handled it again, trying to warm up to it, and maybe get silly. Failed to do so. A 200th anniversary was in the rack by it, 800, in 7RemMag. Both had nice wood, nice guns all in all really. Just too much spec money involved for me; seems kinda like internet stock some years ago. Lots of talk about quick value, but some folks took it on the chin with those stocks.

Ended up with a No.1 with lessor wood, with rings, etc for half of the old one's asking price OTD. Yeah, pulled the barrel already, looking at a 17HMR conversion to start with. Yes, I know how the banded sights are put on etc, have NECG and Ruger front ramps in hand from the stash. Probably will not stay a HMR for any length of time, but one has to start somewhere. Odd how the No.1 in a magnum caliber......all I saw was a 17 HMR there......

I appreciate everyone's insight on my query, ended up the old Ruger was just too good for me at this time, maybe later when it sits a while longer; if not, there will be others to consider.

Roof