Rare (?) Ruger No.1

[Monsterfreak]

Hi guys, I just got a call from a local gunshop owner informing me of a suspected rare Ruger No.1 so I went and had a look. I cannot find any info on it so maybe someone here can help. It looks like a light sporter with a very short barrel. It is in .357 Magnum. On the left side of the action it say Limited Edition and has the inscription that was made for the California Highway patrol. The serial number is 132-46198. Can anybody please tell me more and give an indication as to the possible value? Thanks

 

[gewehrfreund]

In South Africa it probably is a rare No.1. Over here in the US, not so much.
There were 1500 of these CHP marked 357s made, so in rarity terms for a No.1, that is not at all rare.
However, there was an overrun made of these, and there are several hundred of them that are not CHP marked. These are much rarer, but still don't seem to command the respect of collectors.
I bought my unmarked version new in the box from a dsitributor back in the early 1980s for what now would be considered a ridiculously low price. Over the years, I've shot it quite a bit, but inthe last decade or so, it has not seen much use.
Value will be difficult to guess without knowing the condition, whether it has the original box, and given South African markets.

 

[Monsterfreak]

Thank you very much for the reply, I appreciate it.

I think you are correct about the relative rarity of it here in SA. it in good condition but no box.

Regards