Remington Hepburn No. 3 40-90 Sharps Straight Single Shot Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,675.00
LSB#: LSB260419DN044
Make: Remington
Model: Hepburn No. 3
Serial#: 6573
Year of Manufacture: 1880-1904 C&R
Caliber: 40-90 Sharps straight, 40 3 1/4″
Action Type: Single-Shot, Side Lever Actuated Falling Block Action.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “E. Remington and Sons, Ilion, NY”. The bottom of the barrel is marked “40 3 1/4”. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The left side of the receiver is marked “Hepburn’s Pat, Oct 7, 1879”.
Barrel Length: 29 1/2″, barrel has been cut and recrowned
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Beach style combination sight dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a spring leaf V notch with elevator dovetailed into the barrel. The upper tang has a base for a peep sight installed but no staff.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece checkered walnut, tipped forend, semi pistol grip, straight comb, and crescent iron buttplate. The LOP is 14″ from trigger to buttplate. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. The left side of the wrist is cracked at the upper tang. The left side of the forend has a notable gouge. Overall this stock is in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. The rifle is well defined. There is some minor erosion and pitting. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 10% of its original finish. Most of the metal has worn to brown patina with corrosion staining. There is some color that shows in protected areas of the receiver. There is minor tool marking and scratching on the barrel. The screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this rifle is in Fair to Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, and the trigger has a crisp break. We have not fired this rifle, but we did perform a mechanic’s check. We recommend repairing the stock before attempting to fire. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Remington Hepburn No. 3 is a desirable single-shot falling block rifle manufactured during the 1880–1904 production period and chambered in .40-90 Sharps Straight, marked “40 3 1/4” on the underside of the barrel. The Hepburn action is a distinctive side-lever actuated falling block design, and this example retains strong period sporting-rifle features including a checkered walnut stock, tipped forend, semi-pistol grip, crescent iron buttplate, Beach-style combination front sight, and barrel-mounted rear sight. The upper tang is fitted with a peep sight base, though the staff is absent. The barrel has been cut and recrowned to 29 1/2″, which should be noted as a significant alteration from original configuration.
Condition is Fair to Good overall, with the rifle retaining about 10% of its original finish. Most of the metal has aged to a brown patina with corrosion staining, while some case color remains visible in protected areas of the receiver. There are minor tool marks and scratches on the barrel, and the screw heads are tooled but serviceable. The markings remain legible, including the Remington barrel address and Hepburn patent marking. The checkered walnut stock shows scratches and compression dents throughout, a notable gouge on the left side of the forend, and a crack on the left side of the wrist at the upper tang, placing the wood in Fair condition.
The bore is semi-bright with well-defined rifling and shows minor erosion and pitting, rating 7.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly and the trigger has a crisp break, though the rifle has not been test fired. Given the wrist crack, antique single-shot configuration, barrel alteration, and uncommon black powder cartridge chambering, stock repair and a careful inspection by a qualified gunsmith would be prudent before any firing use. Overall, this is an appealing Remington Hepburn No. 3 with desirable chambering, strong period character, functional mechanics, and decent bore condition, but its worn finish, cut barrel, missing tang sight staff, and cracked stock keep it in the representative collector or restoration-shooter category rather than among high-condition examples. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF