This is a Remington Hepburn rifle chambered for 40-70. The 28-?” half octagonal barrel is blued, with finish wear on the octagonal section and some scratches near the muzzle. Serial number 267XXX appears on right side of stock. Features 35” bbl., with an OAL of 55 ½”. Thre.Click for more info.
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A shorter vernier tang sight denoted the mid-range model of theRemington target rifle designed by Lewis Hepburn, Remington'ssupervising engineer. Remington-Hepburn No.3 Rifles were made invarious models c.1880-1907. SN 4533
Circa 1880 Remington-Hepburn (U.S.) No. 3 Falling BlockCreedmoor Target Rifle (single-shot/ breech-loading/ black powder/cartridge ammunition) In the 1880s, sophistication grew in theeastern United States. Towns and cities were urbanized, laborunions organized, education became important, and sports werepopular. Among the latter, target shooting gathered thousands ofadherents, particularly as the major rifle companies began toproduce marvels of technology. This display gun represents one ofthese.
Lewis Hepburn, its inventor, was superintendent of Remington'smechanical department and a member of the American CreedmoorInternational Shooting Team. This falling-block target rifle is hiscontribution to the sport. --Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICANLIBERTY COLLECTION; #98 During the latter years of the 19thcentury, medium-range Schuetzen (offhand) matches became verypopular.
A typical off-hand rifle of that period was fitted with anadjustable palm rest below the forearm. The palm rest often couldbe swung to a vertical position for firing, with the ball or grippiece held in the shooter's hand. The shooter's elbow was bracedagainst his hip to provide the necessary steadiness in the off-handposition. Action of the typical Schuetzen rifle was fitted with aheavy barrel, usually octagonal, and the target sights were fullyadjustable for windage and elevation. The action was fitted withdouble set triggers and an elaborate finger lever typical of theornamental designs of the late 19th century. Also standard was ahigh comb buttstock to properly locate the shooter's face in theoff-hand position, and an elaborate hooked buttplate to accuratelyposition the butt of the rifle when firing.