No. 3 Single-Shot Rifle
(Manufactured from 1973 to 1986)
Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223, 30-40 Krag, 375 Win, 44 Mag, 45-70 Govt
Beginning Serial Number: Years of Production:
130-50000 1973
130-51170 1974
130-54210 1975
130-55139 1976
130-60511 1977
130-65671 1978
130-70344 1979
*132-01360 1980
*132-07159 1981
*132-25986 1982
*132-34077 1983
*132-39043 1984
*132-54434 1985
*132-73032 1986

*No. 3 serial numbers rollmarked with No. 1 Rifles beginning in 1980

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 does not necessarily 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, firearms may be stored for a length of time before they are shipped.

For details on your specific serial number you may contact our Service Department: 336-949-5200

For serial numbers manufactured prior to our electronic records, or for an official letter confirming the details on your firearm please download and mail in the Request for Letter of Authenticity form.