Designed by Bill Ruger based on the Farquharson type action, the Ruger No. 1 quickly became synonymous with accuracy and was a favorite amongst American hunters and target shooters alike. This set of gorgeous Ruger No. 1 rifles is made even more special than the incredible works of art that they are, as they were presented to the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford Jr. for the U.S. bicentennial in 1976 by the Republican National Convention. Ford served as president from August 1974 to January 1977, quite a tumultuous time for the country in the wake of Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation due to conviction for tax evasion and President Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal. Ford was quickly propelled from House Minority Leader to Vice President and after only eight months, to President of the United States, having never even had the chance to move into the Vice President's residence. Ford is the only President to have never been elected to the office or the office of Vice President and also remains the only President from the great state of Michigan. The rifles were both built with blued steel barrels and feature fine scroll engraving at the breech and muzzle along with standard factory markings including "MADE IN THE 200TH YEAR OF AMERICAN LIBERTY" on the left hand side. Rifle "A" is fitted with a ramped beaded blade front sight and a rear quarter rib holding the rear sight and rifle "B" bares no provisions for open sights, but is mounted with a set of scope bases. Both rifles have blued actions displaying extensive floral scroll engraving surrounding gold inlaid semi-relief animals and gold inlaid lettering. Both rifles feature a beautifully cut gold eagle on the right side of the action and "1776/1976" in gold on the underside along with the serial number. The left side of rifle "A" displays a running elk while the "B" rifle shows a howling wolf. Both rifles are signed on the triggerplate to the left of the trigger "ENG. BY J. B. MEEK" for American Master Engraver James B. Meek, a highly renowned engraver and author of the highly respected book "The Art of Engraving". The rifles both feature outstanding, highly figured and multi-point checkered forends ("A" lightly figured) and pistol grip stocks with blued steel grip caps and a red rubber recoil pad. Included is a full length leather bound case with "PRESENTED/TO/PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/BY THE/REPUBLICAN/NAT'L COMMITTEE" marked on the lid and a canvas over cover which is marked "PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and gold finishes with minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the forend and stock. The case is very fine. Mechanically excellent.

As described in "A".

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes with only minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. A rare chance to own a set of presidential firearms presented to President Ford on this great nation's 200th birthday!