Special No.1 ?

[deerhog]

Hello all.
My apologies if this is the same place as the Ruger Forum as I have posted there also.I have aquired a No.1 that I am currently sending a request for authenticity form to Ruger to validate.
This rifle is finely carved and checkered.jeweled breech block...in .243 caliber.
But what has me miffed is the serial number at 1 01.
Any ideas on what I may have here?
Thanks for any info you may provide.
Also having a hard time posting photos.I am also curious about the skip in the serial number.
Update: just took the rifle to my local shop.The owner is a former Ruger employee from the 80's
He said I may have one of Bill's rifles??
Im not sure what I may have here.At any rate...can anyone place an estimate value?

[67stingray]

Welcome, sounds like an oddball photos are important, to post pics select the attachments tab below the text window and select "add files".
Bennett

[deerhog]

[deerhog]

[deerhog]

[deerhog]

...no

[67stingray]

Very nice rifle, I'm sure our No.1 experts will jump in and help you out. How did you end up with it?
Bennett

[deerhog]

Found this at a local shop as it was traded in.

[gewehrfreund]

If you're willing to divulge the full (i.e. on the breechblock) serial number, I'm sure the knowledgeable folks here (and there are more here than at rugerforum.net ) will be able to tell you more about it.

[deerhog]

The number on the breech block is 1701.
It would be easy to assume what i actually have here is a very nicely customized #1
That somehow never had the 7 struck on the receiver.
Still a nice first year production rifle.