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Guns of Our Favorite Writers: The Ruger No. 1 in 45-70
by Shane Jahn
There are certain guns we associate with gun writers. Of course, Elmer Keith and the Smith & Wesson Model 29 are synonymous. Skeeter Skelton fans will quickly recognize his 7.5-inch Ruger Flattop and 5-inch S&W Model 27 as being as trademark as his mustache and silver belly Stetson. Legendary Border Patrolman Bill Jordan helped invent his iconic handgun, the S&W Combat Magnum. And the list goes on. We could sit here all day deliberating on guns and loads that are tied uniquely to writers we admire.
With the upcoming release of the John Wootters book we are honored to bring to you all, I got to thinking about a rifle I always associated to him. There are a few models that will come to the minds of devout Wootters fans. First would be his trusted Sako Forester with the Mannlicher stock. This rifle is perhaps as famous as his camouflaged hat and was certainly one of his favorites. Some can spot his Balickie-stocked 280 Remington from a mile away, along with his Mannlicher-stocked Winchester Model 88 lever gun. Another is the famed SS1 custom Ruger Blackhawk. The gun was built for his friend Skeeter Skelton, but Skeeter passed before its completion. Jim Wilson said that most of the time he was around John Wootters, SS1 was on his hip. I’ve held, admired, and shot this fine single action. I see why he favored it.
