Ruger No.1 values...Help

[Ckdgolfcarts]

I have several old red butt pad Ruger No.1's that I need help with placing a value on. Would appreciate any help from Ruger No.1 enthusiasts! I have pictures too! All of the No. 1's I have are the red butt pad. All are new except (4) of them don't have the boxes. I have (2) Ruger No. 1's in 458 Mag Cat. 1-H new in the box. Serial numbers are 130-233XX and the other has a long range sight on it and the serial number is 131-474XX The other Ruger No. 1's are as follows: Ruger No. 1 in .375 H&H with Serial Number 131-110XX. On this one, it is new, but there is very slight pitting where the butt stock meets the receiver on the left side of the receiver and then there are (2) 1/4" scratches on the right side of the barrel tip. No Box. Ruger No. 1 in 7X57 with Serial Number 130-420XX. New No Box. Appears to be in perfect condition Ruger No. 1 in .45-70 GOVT with Serial Number 130-294XX. New no box. Appears to be in perfect condition Ruger No. 1 in 6MM REM with Serial Number 130--376XX I know barrel lengths are important too and then there's different classes of wood, etc. that is why it is so confusing to me! LOL. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Here are the pictures:
First 458 win Mag
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1168_zps9f259621.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1170_zpsf3eb3895.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1172_zps93256a7e.jpg
Second 458 Win Mag with long range sight
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1175_zpsa795497d.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1176_zps91cc7413.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1178_zpse2265cd9.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1180_zps78ff1d03.jpg
375 H&H
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1185_zps1c426d2e.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1183_zpsb63b83af.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1182_zpsa14f30f8.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1181_zpsd3c619bf.jpg
Ruger No.1 7X57

http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1189_zps7295cecc.jpg

http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1190_zps17725363.jpg

http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1193_zps5e7088f3.jpg

45-70 GOVT
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1194_zpsad83d782.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1195_zps743560c7.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1198_zps93a757b7.jpg

6MM REM
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1199_zpsecf4bfc6.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1203_zps162f5144.jpg
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/pinetree1123/2014-01-08byEye-Fi/?action=view&current=CIMG1204_zps372c308f.jpg

 

[gewehrfreund]

Nice collection. Curious why someone would put a Krag? sight on that second 458.

As for values, they can range widely depending on 1. who you ask (there are one or two fellows here who think any No. 1 is only worth $400-500 and only for rebarreling), 2. rarity (none of yours are in this category that I can see), 3. current market (I'd say check for recent sales on the gun auction sites, or in the classified section here, etc.), and 4. how nice the wood is, for those of us who have a weakness for nicely figured walnut (your 1st 458 is the winner there).

 

[rowdy1972]

The first 458,the 45-70 and the 6mm should be Liberty guns which would make them a little more desirable to collecters.

 

[wunbe]

ckgolfcarts,

I sent you a lengthy PM but I'm not sure it got through. So, I'll repeat it here.

Some general comments first.

Caveats. Every assessment is an opinion and mine is shaped by a lot of experience buying #1s but not as much as a seller of guns. I have constantly over-priced – not in my mind but evidently in the mind of potential buyers on the inet – what #1s I sell are 'worth'. I prefer to sell locally so my estimates run high because high prices are the norm in my region; I can't believe how cheaply some on the sight buy their #1s and they won't tell me where they live.

It is hard to judge by pictures only. Flashes and light play do weird things.

Your target buyers. Serious collectors – I am not one – can be very picky about miniscule issues – butt pad styles etc. -- that hunters and shooters – like me – never notice and do not care much about. The latter are more into performance details – like targets with tight groups. Of course most hunters/shooters also prefer attractive rifles but many will accept honest use blemishes in a proven shooter.

Newness/condition descriptions . A rifle that has been used can be described as like new, excellent, very good, good, fair condition, etc. NIB with papers and original owner statements add attraction for collectors as this reduces chances of after- market changes which devalue a rifle. On the other hand, shooters/hunters might appreciate a better recoil pad and trigger work on a heavy caliber, but probably will not pay much for it.

Wood. Really attractive wood was more common in the earlier production runs and wood fit and finish was better then too because there was more hand fitting by craftsmen. There is no formal scale for assessing wood but generally the more character, the better.

In and around 1976 Ruger bought some wood that was quick seasoned using salt and a very few guns – I had one -- of that vintage had serious rust at the wood/metal contact points . Not many know about this problem but those collectors that do will probably not buy one -- a hunter shooter might buy one if the wood has been replaced and all rusty parts changed. You can identify salt wood by putting silver nitrate drops on raw wood; it turns milky if salt is present.

Dates of manufacture. Only the receivers have serial #s and thus can be dated to when they were made. You will never know when the entire rifle itself was assembled because Ruger does not know. They can tell when it was shipped out of the factory and if you ask them they will send you a letter on this. The best quality work was pre 1970 and such rifles are sought out by collectors. The craftsmanship decline was not really steep until after the late 70s. It has improved in the past 20 years or so but not to original standards.

Rarity. Collectors will pay for early #1 rifles in styles and calibers with very low production runs. None of yours falls into that category although the 458s are a little rare.

My Guesstimates on your rifles.

Rifle #1 -- Very attractive (B+) wood, receiver made in 1976, looks to be in very good to excellent shape with box – and papers? (start at $1,100 and not take less than $950?)

#2 -- Plainer wood, no box. Receiver made in 79. A long range rear sight that I have never encountered anywhere before. Some background on it might enhance interest – I'd sure like to know who made it and how it works. ($750-$800?)

#3 – A little better wood. Receiver made in 1977. The condition issues -- I'd want to pull the wood and check for salt before making any offer on this one – devalue this one in my mind. ($700 -– 550?)

#4 – Highly desirable rifle even though many were made and some had a rep for cavernous chambers. No matter, it has a mystique and is in high demand. Plain wood might not matter. Receiver made in 73 which associates it with the glory days of higher craftsmanship. Should sell fast. (Start at $1100 to not much under $1000?)

#5 – Modest wood. Receiver made in 76. 45-70s as a group in this model are solidly reliable shooters. ($800 down to $750?)

#6 – One of the best varmint/deer combination calibers. Commercial ammo a little sparse but a handloaders dream. Modest wood. Receiver made in 76. ($800-750?)

Hope this helps.
wunbe