Ruger Mark 1 Serial Numbers

  • Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. With products made in America, Ruger offers consumers almost 800 variations of more than 40 product lines. For more than 70 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility.
  • Enter your Ruger® serial number above to view its model number, product line, caliber, production status, ship date and instruction manual. Note: This service is provided as reference only, and accuracy is not guaranteed. For specific questions or additional information, please contact Customer Service.
  • MGW stocks thousands of both Ruger OEM gun parts as well as performance upgrades from many well-known manufactures. Ruger parts for pistols like the popular LC9 series and SR series pistols as well as many parts for the Mark Series pistols and more. Ruger Rifle parts such as the ever popular 10/22, 77 and 96 models, the Ruger Mini-14 and Mini 30 platforms as well as todays Ruger American Rifle.
  • Sturm, Ruger & Co. Mark I Target Model: 22LR: 1951-1982: U.S. Rollmark on top of Frame 1/8 in. Serial numbers $325: $1000: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Mark I Target Model: 22LR: 1951-1982: Stainless Steel one of 5000 $225: $500: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Mark II Standard Model: 22LR: 1982-Rimfire Pistol $150: $300: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Mark II Standard Model MK4.

Our Ruger serial number lookup allows you to date your vintage rifle. Sign In My Account.

Estimates of Rarity of the Various Configurations and Calibers of the early
I bought my first No. 1, a very early 130-prefix 1B in 7mm Remington Magnum in November of 1972. Since that time, with only a couple of exceptions, I’ve used No. 1’s exclusively for what hunting opportunities I’ve had. Two of the best write-ups in existence on the No. 1 and single shot rifles in general are by John Wootters. The Foreword in Joe Clayton’s No. 1 Book and the May 1990 issue of Petersen’s Hunting. The Petersen’s Hunting article, titled “The One-Shot Mystique” has a few sentences I’d like to pass on. “A man who opens a case in hunting camp and lifts out a single-shot rifle makes a statement about himself. It may be quite unconscious, or it may be pure egotistical one-upmanship, but it does project the image of a superior marksman and a hunter of above- average skills.”
Personally, I like the Ruger No. 1 Single Shot, for all those many good reasons written many times before. It is a beautiful and classic rifle! The first shot is the one that counts; the very few big game animals that I have managed to miss with the first shot- I didn’t hit them with any of the other shots either!
I have been a No. 1 collector since 1976, when I acquired my second No. 1. In March of 1977, I met Joe Clayton at the Dallas Arms Collectors show. A year later, I found my first two non-prefix rifles. They were a .243 with a 22″ barrel, AH forearm and no sights(with knockout wood) and a .22-250 1B with target scope blocks with a Unertl scope on it. At that early date, Joe said he had not seen one of the target scope block configurations. I was hooked!!- and still have these first two rifles in my collection today.
Mark
The Clayton Ruger No. 1 Book was published in 1983; it had a lot of good information and some beautiful color photographs. I realize that today it is quite hard to come by and usually quite expensive! In the nearly 25 years since it was published, more has been learned, many limited exclusive special runs have been made and the Internet has helped spread the information. As it relates to non-prefix rifles, the No. 1 Book provides the information that:
  1. The first rifle “commercially shipped” was #935, 26″ barrel, beavertail forearm in .308 Winchester on September 15, 1966.*
  2. The last non-prefix shipped was #5290 in January, 1975.
  3. The highest number shipped was #8437 in May, 1972.

* Joe told me that the Factory had advised him that #935 was the first rifle shipped and that it was 1966. At one time, I owned #935, as new in the box. The box had the U.S. postage stamps and the Newport cancellation on September 15, 1967. There was a great effort to have the No. 1 announced and written up in all the major magazines for their October 1966 issue, but that is for another story. I believe the first No. 1’s were shipped in March of 1967. I would certainly like to hear from anyone who has a rifle with an earlier shipping date. Why did I ever sell it???

Numbers

From this information, we know that approximately 7500 rifles were produced and shipped over a relatively long period of time-until 1975. Obviously, 130-prefix numbered rifles were manufactured and shipped simultaneously beginning in 1970. I believe the majority of the rarer configurations and calibers to have been assembled prior to 1970; after that time, the standard models and calibers are catalogued, with the information that “no specifications other than those listed will be offered” However, the General Megee rifle in .32 S&W Long is an exception.(Clayton Book page 37 and Shooting Times, April 1971 The General published an article in the American Rifleman, January 1970, which is probably what earned him the special consideration for a unique rifle. This article was very complimentary of the accuracy of No. 1 rifles in .270 Winchester and .222 Remington.

Calibers

Calibers that were published as being available or that are known to me in the non pre-fix rifle are: .222 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, .25-06 Remington, .264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 mm Remington Magnum, .270 Winchester, .280 Remington, 7×57, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 H&H Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, .375 H&H Magnum, .45-70, .458 Winchester Magnum. Those published as being available, but not known to me are the .264 Win. Mag., 6.5mm Rem. Mag., .300 H&H Mag., and .338 Win. Mag. The .25-06 was listed available as a 1V in in 1971 and as a 1B in 1973. The 7mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win. Mag. were listed as available in the 1V in 1973. The.45-70 was listed as available in S24H in 1969 and as a 1S in 1970(with 22″ medium weight barrel). The .45-70 in 1H is only known in the prefix series and is a rare rifle.

Rarity Points

Many collectors have had difficulty understanding or interpreting the Ruger No. 1 Evaluation Table in the Clayton No. 1 book, especially as it relates to the non- prefix serial number configurations and calibers. I believe much of the problem lies with using these “Rarity Points” as an absolute, rather than a relative indicator. Also, at the rare end of the scale, my observations and experience are somewhat different; we all have the benefit of another 25 years collecting experience. In summary, the Rarity Points are based on Configuration, Caliber and Digits in the serial#; this applies to the non-prefix rifles.

Caliber points are:

  • .22-250 Remington & .308 Winchester-3
  • .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington & .30-06-4
  • .270 Winchester, .375 H&H Magnum, .45-70 & .458 Winchester Magnum-5
  • .222 Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum & .300 Winchester Magnum-6
  • .25-06 Remington-7
  • .280 Remington-8
  • 7×57-10
  • .264 Winchester Magnum-11

Configuration points are:

  • S26M Beavertail no sights-2
  • S22L Beavertail no sights, S22L AH no sights & S26M Beavertail Target Scope blocks-3
  • S22L AH sights & S26M AH no sights-4
  • S26M AH sights & S24H-5
  • S26M Beavertail sights & S26M AH Target Scope Blocks-6
  • S22M-7, and S22L Beavertail sights-8

Serial # points are: One digit-10, Two digit-8, Three digit-6 and Four digit-4.

The Scale is: Nice rifle 0-4, Collectable 5-7, Rare 8-10, and Very Rare 11+.

1967 Catalogue

The 1967 Catalogue spread on the No. 1 contains a wealth of information. If you, as a collector have not read it thoroughly, I would certainly recommend it. The Catalogue describes how these different rifles could be ordered; the customer picked the barrel weight and length, the caliber, the forearm style and the sighting equipment-rib and sights or no sights or target scope blocks. I suggested several years ago a shorthand system for identifying the various configurations that I believe is much more convenient. It uses two or three letters to describe the barrel weight, forearm style and sighting equipment. It works well for the 10 configurations that are the most difficult to describe. These are:

  • BB- 26″ barrel, Beavertail forearm, no sights(the present 1B)
  • BBS- 26″ barrel, Beavertail forearm, Sights
  • BBB-26″ barrel, Beavertail forearm, target scope Blocks
  • BH- 26″ barrel, Alex Henry forearm, no sights
  • BHS- 26″ barrel, Alex Henry forearm, Sights(what was the 1S)
  • BHB-26″ barrel, Alex Henry forearm, target scope Blocks
  • AB- 22″ barrel, Beavertail forearm, no sights(the present 1AB)
  • ABS-22″ barrel, Beavertail forearm, Sights
  • AH- 22″ barrel, Alex Henry forearm, no sights
  • AHS- 22″ barrel, Alex Henry forearm, Sights(the present 1A)

On the above, I will note that the 26″ barrels are the “B” or medium weight and the 22″ barrels are the “A” or light weight. The other 3 configurations are the 1V, 1H and 1S in .45-70

With this new Configuration terminology, I will provide some examples of the failure of the rarity points! A 4 digit in BB and .22-250 racks up 9 points(4+2+3: Rare) and a 4 digit AB and .308 totals 10 points(4+3+3; Rare). A 3 digit of any caliber and configuration becomes Very Rare by this Evaluation Scale. Therein lies the problem!

What is Rare and Very Rare as compared to what?

My Caliber rarity:

  • Common-.22-250 Remington, .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester
  • Fairly Common- .222 Remington, 6mm Remington, 7mm Remington Magnum, .30-06
  • Rare: .25-06, .270 Winchester, 7×57, .280 Remington, .300 Winchester Magnum
  • Very Rare: .375 H&H Magnum, .45-70, .458 Winchester Magnum

My Configuration scale: ( % is of 7500 rifles)

  • Common————BB (60%)
  • Fairly Common—-AB (15%)
  • Somewhat Common- AH (8%)
  • Rare—————– BH (6%)
  • Very Rare———–BHS, AHS, BBB, BBS ( 2% each)
  • Very, Very Rare- –BHB, 1V (less than 1% each)
  • Not Often Found– ABS, 1H, 1S(.45-70) (less than .5% each)

Now, down to the nitty-gritty!! There are 127 possible combinations of Caliber and Configuration. This is derived from the 12 calibers in the 10 configurations (10×12=120) adding the 4 calibers of the 1V, the 2 calibers of the 1H and the 1S in .45-70 (120+4+2+1=127) A statement from the No. 1 book that the BB in .22-250 and the AB in .308 accounted for over 20% of the production and three assumptions is the basis for these estimates.

  1. The BB is the most common configuration-estimate 60%
  2. The AB is the second most common configuration-estimate 15%
  3. The common rifles are the BB in .222, .22-250, .243, 6mm, 7mm RM and .30-06 and the AB in .308, which account for 60% of the production (The converse is true; these common calibers in any configuration other than the ones listed makes for an uncommon rifle!)
I want to emphasize again that these are my estimates only, using the few facts and the assumptions to make the calculations. To quote from the No.1 book, page 119:
The factory will not provide data on the number of rifles made in a given caliber or variation. If you attempt to obtain information on anything other than the date of manufacture of a particular rifle, you will receive the following reply: “We would be unable to supply information relating to the number of rifles produced in each caliber or specification as it is against company policy to provide information of this nature”
That has been my experience also. That was the case 25 years ago and I guess it still is!
Here are my estimates of the number of rifles made in each caliber and configuration:
CaliberBBBBSBBBBHBHSBHBABABSAHAHS1H1V1S
.222 Rem.675<25<50<50<25<25150<8150<501*
.22-2501050<507575<50<875<875<50<25
.243 Win.82575<5075<50<25150<2575<50
6mm460<50<50<50<50<8<50<8<50<25
.25-0675NMNMNMNMNMNMNMNMNM<50
.270 Win.150<8NM<25<8NM<8NM<8<8
.280 Rem.75<8<8<25<25<8<25<8<25<8
7×5775<8<8<25<25<8<25<8<8<8
7mm RM460<50<2575<50<25<75<25<50<50<25
.308 Win.150<8<50<50<25<8675<257575
.30-06375<50<5075<50<2575<2575<50
.300 WM75<8<8<25<50<8NMNMNMNM<8
.375 H&H<25
.458 WM<25
.45-70<25

NM=Probably Not Made

Ruger Single Action Serial Numbers

* In the development of the 1V Configuration at least one .222 Remington rifle was produced. It is serial# 6580 and was made in February, 1970. It was never shipped; it was sold on the Ruger Auction in September, 2007. No other 1V’s in .222 are known, either with a non-prefix receiver or in the early 130-prefix. Another previously unknown non-prefix 1V, this one in .243 Winchester, has been auctioned on the Ruger Auction Website in May of 2008. It is #7233. This caliber was produced in the 1V configuration in later years, but no other non-prefix or 130- prefix rifles are known.

Note that 16 Caliber/Configurations are projected as not produced; that leaves 111 likely different rifles to look for! The numbers estimated as production for each Caliber/Configuration are based upon a percentage of the 7500 non prefix rifles produced. The percents that were estimated are:

14% =1050, 11%=825, 9%=675, 6%=460, 5%=375, 2%=150, 1%=75, <1%=<50, <.5%=<25, <.1%=<8.

Ruger Mark 1 Serial Numbers

I believe that the percents from 14% to5% are accurate within +/-1%; the percents from 2% to <.1% are accurate to within +/-.5%. That is an out for me in that some of these rifles which I list as <25 and <8 just may not have ever been made! One other very interesting calculation can be made from the percents-that is that the 12 most common rifles make up 70% of the production, and that the next 19 Caliber/Configurations are 19% of the production, AND the rarest 80 Caliber/Configurations are only 11% of the rifles. For a long time, I have stated to interested or beginning collectors that any non prefix rifle other than a BB or a .308 Winchester AB is a very rare rifle! And there are some very rare rifles that are BB depending on the caliber. A low or unique serial number or prior ownership by a prominent individual could add a “special” rarity on its own. Even the quality of the wood can affect the desirability. Every collector knows that the buttstock can range from “pine board plain” to the finest of figured walnut.

Special Rifles

One very rare type of rifle I have not mentioned yet is the “one of a kind” that does not fit the regular Caliber/Configuration charts. One example is the S24M beavertail in .222 Remington, serial# 2103 pictured on page 120 of the Ruger No.1 book. These rifles do exist; they are very special and were made for special people. There better be a story behind the rifle that makes sense; they weren’t made for just anyone! I doubt the factory could or would verify them, so it’s the history and story and your experience that you have to rely on.

Sturm Ruger Mark 1 Serial Numbers

Last Comments

Ruger Mark 1 Target Serial Numbers

I do not consider the grooved front sight to be anything other than a variation; it is a result of whether a rifle was made earlier or made later. Likewise, with the checkering pattern on the Alex Henry forearm, it is simply an indication of the time frame the rifle was finished. As a different example, all of the non-prefix 1V’s I am familiar with do not have the diamond checkering pattern on the bottom of the beavertail forearm, which is proper for the time frame in which they were completed and shipped. The .45-70’s also have the later Alex Henry forearm and checkering pattern. The “S” safety stamp is another variation that results from the time frame of marking. Many of the 1V models of the 1970-1972 period have this safety marking, as do other early 130- prefix rifles. These last comments, grooved sights, checkering patterns and safety markings are what I consider to be manufacturing variations, not differences in configuration. In closing, I want to stress again that these are my estimates based on the stated assumptions, observed ratios, and calculations to achieve the correct percentages. Any No. 1 owners having one of these scarcer Caliber/Configurations(<25) are solicited to report to me that these rifles do exist!

Ruger Mark 1 Serial Number Dating

This is intended to be a complete caliber list of all Ruger No. 1’s that were commercially produced. It does not include the “one of a kind” chamberings that have been made.
204 Ruger, 218 Bee, 22 Hornet, 222 Rem, 223, 22 PPC, 22-250 Rem, 220 Swift, 6mm PPC, 6mm Rem, 243 Win, 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25/06, 257 Weatherby, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55, 6.5 Rem Mag, 6.5-284 Norma, 264 Win Mag, 270 Win, 270 Weatherby, .275 Rigby, 280 Rem, 280 Ackley Improved, 284 Win, 7×57, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm STW, 7mm/08, 30-06, 30/30, 30-40 Krag, 300 RCM, 300 H&H, 300 Weatherby, 300 Win Mag, 308 Win, 7.62×39, 303 British, 338 RCM, 338 Federal, 338 Win Mag, 35 Whelen, 357 Mag, 9.3×62, 9.3x74R, 375 H&H, 375 Ruger, 38-55 Win, 404 Jeffrey, 405 Win, 450/400 Nitro Express 3”, 416 Ruger, 416 Rem Mag, 416 Rigby, .44 Rem. Mag., 460 S&W, 45-70 Govt, 450 Bushmaster, 450 Marlin. 450 Nitro Express 3 1/4”, 458 Win Mag, 458 Lott, 475 Linebaugh, 475 Turnbull

Beginning Serial Number Approximate Production Years of Production Remarks
1 1967 #8437 was the highest serial number
2231 1968 non-prefix shipped May of 1972*
5885 7500* 1969 #5290 was the last non-prefix rifle
130-00001 1700 1970 shipped January of 1975
130-01681 2200 1971
130-03843 1000 1972 From the J.D. Clayton Ruger No. 1 Book
130-04859 300 1973 From the J.D. Clayton Ruger No. 1 Book
130-05203 7500 1974
130-12779 4700 1975
130-17490 23300 1976
130-40795 28500 1977 130- prefix ended @ 130-49999
131-19270 27400 1978
131-46676 8800 1979 131- prefix ended @ 131-54116
132-01360 5800 1980
132-07159 18800 1981 Ruger No.3's numbered in the No.1 series from 1980-1986
132-25986 8100 1982
132-34077 4500 1983
132-39043 15400 1984
132-54434 18600 1985
132-76167 3300 1987
132-79519 3600 1988
132-83110 3900 1989
132-87029 6000 1990
132-92985 2700 1991
132-95719 3400 1992
132-99165 13800 1993
133-13007 9100 1994
133-22067 7000 1995
133-29051 7300 1996
133-36393 10600 1997
133-47014 7100 1998
133-54089 15200 1999
133-69291 8500 2000
133-77839 11100 2001
133-88974 3300 2002
133-92276 7700 2003
134-00011 7100 2004
134-07100 8300 2005
134-15411 3800 2006
134-19170 3800 2007
134-22930 2000 2008
134-24861 2900 2009
134-27798 4800 2010
134-32639 3900 2011
134-36488 600 2012
134-37131 1200 2013
134-38440 2900 2014
134-41326 3700 2015
134-45XXX 3000 2016
134-48XXX 2017

The above chart shows the approximate first serial number shipped for the indicated year. This number should be used as a point of reference only. It is not necessarily the very first serial number shipped, but it can be used to determine the approximate year your Ruger firearm was shipped.

Ruger Mark 1 Serial Numbers Year Produced

Ruger does not produce firearms in serial number order. There are occasions when blocks of serial numbers have been manufactured out of sequence, sometimes years later. Also, within a model family the same serial number prefix may be used to produce a variety of different models, all in the same block of serial numbers. And in some cases, models may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.