Remington-Hepburn No. 3 Sporting 28” .38 2 1/8 Single Shot Rifle, Antique
SOLD FOR: $2,723.00
LSB#: WY250310TW027
Make: E. Remington & Sons
Model: 1879 No. 3 Sporting
Serial Number: 1542
Year of Manufacture: 1880 to 1888
Caliber: .38 2 1/8 (Most likely .38-55)
Action Type: Single shot hammer fired falling block with extractor & side lever.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with an E. Remington & Sons rollmark. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number, “1542”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the Hepburn patent. The bottom of the barrel is marked, “.38 2 1/8″.
Barrel Length: 28” 40/60 Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded globe sight with a circular insert and spirit level. The rear sight is a micro-adjustable folding Vernier tang sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece checkered wood set with a slim forend, checkered Prince of Wales wrist, straight comb, and checkered crescent buttplate. There are pressure dents and scratches throughout. The checkering is lightly worn. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition. The stock has been refinished.
Type of Finish: Cold Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion and in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 15% of its metal finish. There is heavy patina and light spots of pitting throughout. The action has moderate wear. The screw heads are moderately tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as an Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This Remington-Hepburn No. 3 Sporting rifle, manufactured between 1880 and 1888, is a fine example of one of the most respected single-shot target rifles of the late 19th century. Designed by Lewis Hepburn, the falling block action gained a strong reputation among competitive shooters and hunters alike for its strength, precision, and smooth operation. Chambered in .38 2 1/8” (most likely .38-55), this rifle would have been ideal for mid- to long-range target shooting and hunting, favored for its accuracy and manageable recoil. With its 28” octagon barrel, spirit level globe front sight, and micro-adjustable Vernier tang sight, this rifle was clearly built for precision shooting. This example remains in Good condition for an antique, retaining about 15% of its cold blued finish with a smooth patina and scattered light pitting. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and only minor erosion, earning a strong 9.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The refinished checkered walnut stock shows light handling wear, with softened checkering and scattered marks from use, but no cracks or structural issues. The Prince of Wales grip and crescent buttplate are correct for a sporting configuration, and the presence of upgraded sights further supports the rifle’s original purpose as a precision shooter. Mechanically, the action is sound and operates properly, with moderate wear consistent with age and use.
For collectors of 19th-century single shots or those with an appreciation for long-range black powder cartridge rifles, this Remington-Hepburn No. 3 offers significant historical and practical value. The combination of its desirable .38-55 chambering, period-correct precision sights, and intact mechanics makes it a strong candidate for careful restoration, black powder cartridge shooting, or display. As one of Remington’s most respected pre-20th-century designs, the Hepburn remains a standout in both craftsmanship and function—a true representation of precision shooting in America’s golden age of single-shot rifles. -R.E.
