I have an opportuntiy to buy this rifle. It is a four digit serial number from the Brownell era. It is a 1BBS in .243 with iron sights. I'm told this is rare. It's not real cherry with some minor handling dings and a small amount of corrosion. It functions very well and looks really good from 5 ft.

What's it worth? Who can make it better without destroying the authenticity? I'll post more pics. This is one of only two four digit guns I've found at a gun show in the last fifteen or twenty years.

The checkering is better than normal even for a Brownell era rifle.

The other side. Note minor wear and corrosion.

The front sight. I'm told these were rare on early 1-B's. There doesn't appear to be anything that isn't easily fixable. If this were restored to 100% what would it be worth?

I have a soft spot for early No. 1's. My first inclination is to tear it up and make a lovely custom rifle. However, I think this might be a little too good for that. Besides that I'm already doing that... "Project three".

Those who know more about No. 1's than I do... please fill me in.

Thanks.

It appears to be an add on in the picture, but you can't always depend on pictures..not that it would bother me at all, it has no real collector value, and for a shooter I think its a good addition to this rifle. depending on price. Its a little rough with some pitting. but again if it shoots who cares.

Check out this post by Ray

http://forums.accuratereloadin...9421043/m/3721051622

I much prefer the checkering patterns on early #1s, especially the pistol grips, and the wrap around pattern on the forends.

The quality of the checkering on this one is the best I've seen on a No. 1. Brownell must have been looking over the shoulder of the person doing it.

That is what the front sight looks like on these early No.1's, it is set back on the barrel just a bit farther and it is grooved for a hood. Hoods are shown on prototype No.1's, but with 2 exceptions that I know of, none were ever put on production rifles.

I checked C Lee Newton's website and they only made 75 of these back in the day. It'a correctly identified as a No. 1 BBS.

Our son was thinking about buying it and decided not to. It's available if anyone is interested.

I'd kinda like it but I have two .243's. If I make another No. 1 it will be a .22 LR. Anybody got one that's been modified to a .22 LR with an extractor that really works?