there are those that know more about them than I but it is my understanding that they were not "given" but that Bill Ruger did arrange for the special run of "100" and they were purchased with I believe the Life Members given the first opportunity to buy - come on some of you long time members chime in and please correct me if I am wrong - the rimfire - cdpersons

Ok so I biffed on the adding the photo the first time.  It's on here now.  Anyone else have any info on this particular rifle?

Todd

Green_frog,

Do you know when they were run?  My dad said that he thinks the number 1's were first made avail in 1967.  He was not sure when these in particular were produced.  The price (or value) of this gun is of no concern to me as I have taken my fathers train of though = guns dont eat many meals after you buy them, you may as well keep them around for the youngsters =

He gave this gun to me upon shooting my buffalo and I was just wondering what the history was about it.  BTW, he also shot a buffalo with a number 1 in 405.  It is stainless with a laminated stock.  Two of a many number 1's and even number 3's that he has.....along with rollingblocks, two highwalls, a trapdoor, etc, etc.... He is a single shot man through and through...and its gaining on me as well.  Like father like son I guess.

Thanks for the info thus far, please anyone else that may know some history about these guns let me know so when I pass it along to my son I can let him know about it.

Todd

Yes in the white I just sold one to a fellow in Calif. Whitey

Whitey,

What number was the action you sold, if you recall?

Thanks to everyone who has offered up info about these guns.

Todd

Actions were shipped, unblued/" in the white", in standard Ruger pistol boxes.  there were 100 made of the special ASSRA actions marked "ASSRA, xx of 100".  I have been researching them in hopes of gathering enough information for an article later this year.
From what I understand so far, initially Life Members were offered first pick of the serial number that matched their membership number.  at some point the remaining unsold ones were offered to the membership at large.  At a slightly later  date one member purchased all of the still unsold few that were left.
It is my understanding that this was the only time Ruger sold bare #1 actions only.  they did of course sell barreled actions.
As you have found occasionally they do pop up for sale.  In the past 4 or 5 years I have seen one of two "on the tables" at the Etna Green matches.  Some have been made up into sporting rifles. A few have been made into highly ornate ASSRA-type target rifles.  A number of members who bought them have simply packed them away in their gunsafes for future use.
  One has to remember the context, at that time the Ruger was a relatively new modernistic action and they did not have a reputation for gilt-edged accuracy because of the barrel/hanger  and heavy hammer issues. Additionally a lot of the originals were still around and relatively affordably so devoting the time effort and money to building up a schuetzen on the #1 that would compete with a more traditional schuetzen was unlikely

In terms of value, It would be what ever a willing buyer/seller agree on.  On the open non-ASSRA market an ASSRA marked action would probably simply be a mild curiosity beyond whatever the quality and calibre present as a custom rifle.  In the wider world they are basically unknown.  Within the ASSRA community a sporter would probably command a bit higher premium than a standard #1--again depending on quality and calibre.  A schuetzenized version would be more valuable--ditto.
A this point the number probably does not matter a whole lot. 

The Archives does have a confidential list of the original purchasers.  Naturally, for owners security reasons, the whole list is not public.  I think though that if you are the current owner of an ASSRA marked #1 and addressed the matter with Rudi he could probably provide you with the name of the original purchaser--again JMHO

DWS, I think the same deal was made with the Cast Bullet Association. There might be some cross over there if you want to research it.