Hello all,
I am new to collecting these rifles and recently acquired one. I was told that it is a Ruger 1-H tropical made in 1976 and is a 45/70. It has the original shipping box from when it was ordered through Brownell's and the dates do add up. It is un-fired.
My question is how am I able to determine if this is truly a 1-H as I do not see markings to that effect, though I honestly cannot find reference of where to look other than the barrel mounted sling stud.
Thanks for any information.
Jason

Whoever sold it to you simply did not know the proper model names.

The 45-70s with the 22 " barrels are considered an "S" model- not an H...

correct, the "H" models were used mostly in the .458 mag, and .416 Rigby. You have an "S"

I've not seen a lot of Liberty models in .45-70, so they are not common. Having the original box certainly adds to the appeal.

The rifle itself is very handy, and can be loaded mild to wild. It is one of their more desirable models.

Here are the SN for the Known 1H 45-70 that I have on my Data List Only 1 has been reported with the Second Pattern Checkering

130-26373 1H 45-70 Nov-76
130-26482 1H 45-70 NON CATALOG RARE
130-26561 1H 45-70 Oct-76
130-26660 1H 45-70
130-26777 1H 45-70
130-26864 1H 45-70 Nov-76
130-26893 1H 45-70 Nov-76
130-26987 1H 45-70 Nov-76
130-26995 1H 45-70 Oct-76 2
130-27145 1H 45-70 Oct-76

Thanks for the info, though I thought the 45/70 did not come out in the medium until 2013. I appreciate the help.

Thanks to X1Proto, you now know how RARE the true 1H in 45/70 is!
That may be just about all of them, because I have heard there were 12.
If you can't tell the difference between a 1S and a 1H in 45/70, you need to buy the Clayton No.1 book. Or just think what a 1H in 458 Win Mag looks and feels like with the 24" D weight barrel- but in 45/70; there is at least a 2 pound difference.

The 45/70 1S was first made in about August, 1970-more or less.

Awesome, while not as spectacular as a 1H I still like it and now its time to shoot the heck out of it. No need to buy a book, I can just ask you fellas

for reference, left to right:

#1S, .45-70 1994

1977 #1H, .458mag

2011 .475 Turnbull - I don't recall if this is a #1H or S, and the previous owner lost the box.



The first two are good shooters, but the .475 is amazing, probably the most accurate big bore I've ever seen.

The Turnbull used a 26" C weight barrel, so it should have been called a 1H. I will have to check one of my Turnbull boxes. Contrarily, the 45/70 1S-C used a 26" C weight barrel, but being a Lipsey's Exclusive, it was never called a 1H

The H configuration might be nice if you were inclined to let that round romp quite a bit at the range. For hunting however, I can't think of another #1 that feels so perfectly weighted and balanced in my hands for both carry and hunting (as the #1-S 45-70).

That H contour is enormous. You will know if you have one because you will be thinking...Holy Crap! Look at that thing!

There was a distributor run of 26" 45-70 not all that long ago.
Think the S model w 22" looks way better.

I think it's about right for a .458 Lott, or a .460 Roy

The C weight .475 is wonderful. The factory .416 Rigbys have D weight barrels, and I really wish they'd do a C weight .416. I have read the .450 Nitro Boddingtons are C weight, but have not handled one.

I keep eyeing my .375, and think of reboring it to .416

I have a D weight No.1 45/70

I bought a No.1 45-70 back in the 70's. I don't think they were out very long when I got it. It is a 22" barrel. It is a short light well balanced rifle. It seems that 45-70 was the only caliber back then. I used to hunt in those days but I never hunted with it. That may change as I bought a hunting license this year, it has probably been over 30 years since my last one. How is an s or h model determined? Does the serial number make a difference? Mine is much lower than the ones listed, but it does start with 130.

Thanks

FWIW I was measuring barrels a few days ago. The .475 Turnbull measures .750" at the muzzle. The .45-70 above measures .670". I'm toying with the idea of rebarreling the .45-70, to make a .480 Ruger.

A rare rare bird....