Make: E. Remington & Sons
Model: 1879 No. 3 Sporting
Serial Number: 3572
Year of Manufacture: 1880 to 1888
Caliber: .40-90 Sharps Straight
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, “3572”. The right side of the receiver is marked with the Hepburn patent. The bottom of the barrel is marked, “40 3 1/4".
Barrel Length: 30” #4 Profile Octagon
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a knife blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable semi-buckhorn V-notch sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece checkered wood set with a capped forend, checkered Prince of Wales wrist, straight comb, and crescent buttplate. There are pressure dents and scratches throughout. The checkering is worn in spots on the wrist and heavily worn on the forend due to refinishing. There are cracks at the wrist and forend. The LOP measures 13.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition. The stock has been refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is pronounced. There is light erosion and some small concentrated spots of pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. There is heavy patina and light spots of pitting throughout with spots of strong blue on the barrel. There are small spots of remaining case color on the receiver. The action has moderate wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp with some being moderately tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good to Fine 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, chambered in the powerful and desirable .40-90 Sharps Straight, represents a classic era of precision single-shot firearms intended for long-range and big game applications. Manufactured by E. Remington & Sons between 1880 and 1888, the Hepburn was a serious competitor to Sharps and other high-end sporting rifles of the day. Its strong falling block action, designed by Lewis Hepburn, offered excellent durability and lock-up, making it a favorite among serious marksmen. This example features a 30" #4 profile octagon barrel, ideal for offhand or bench rest target shooting, and is marked “40 3 1/4” confirming its chambering in the long, straight-walled Sharps cartridge designed for accuracy and stopping power. This rifle retains about 25% of its original metal finish and is in Very Good to Fine overall condition for an antique. The barrel shows patches of original blue amid a smooth patina, while the receiver displays remnants of its original case coloring along with scattered light pitting. The bore remains in strong condition, light gray with pronounced rifling and only minor erosion and spotting, rating a solid 8.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The refinished walnut stock features attractive checkering on the wrist and forend, though the checkering has worn down, especially on the forend. There are some cracks visible at the wrist and forearm, but the wood remains tight and structurally sound. The checkered Prince of Wales wrist and crescent buttplate complete the rifle’s elegant sporting profile.
For collectors and black powder cartridge shooters alike, this Remington-Hepburn No. 3 Sporting rifle is a highly appealing piece. Its desirable .40-90 Sharps Straight chambering, long octagon barrel, and Hepburn’s famously smooth and solid action make it not only collectible but also a potential shooter with handloaded ammunition. These rifles were made in relatively small numbers and are increasingly scarce in complete, correct condition. Whether destined for a collection or brought back to life on the range, this rifle is a striking example of 19th-century precision craftsmanship from one of America’s legendary firearms makers.