Make: E. Remington & Sons
Model: 1879 No. 3 Sporting
Serial Number: 5164
Year of Manufacture: 1880 to 1888
Caliber: .45-70 Govt.
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 roll mark. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number, “5164”. The left side of the receiver is marked with the Hepburn patent. The bottom of the barrel is marked, “.45-70".
Barrel Length: 30” #3 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 due to refinishing. The stock is splitting due to age. The LOP measures 13.75” 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: Blued, Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is 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 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 5% of its metal finish. There is heavy patina and light spots of pitting throughout. There are small spots of remaining case color on the receiver. 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 is a solid example of one of the finest single-shot rifles of the late 19th century, built by E. Remington & Sons between 1880 and 1888. Chambered in .45-70 Government, it was designed to appeal to American sportsmen, target shooters, and hunters who demanded reliability, power, and precision. The Hepburn action, named after designer Lewis Hepburn, is known for its strength and simplicity, making it an excellent platform for high-powered black powder cartridges like the .45-70. With its 30” #3 profile octagon barrel, semi-buckhorn rear sight, and elegant Prince of Wales wrist, this rifle combines performance with classic 19th-century styling. This example retains about 5% of its original metal finish and is in Good condition for an antique. The barrel and receiver show an even, heavy patina with small patches of pitting and scattered remnants of case color on the receiver. The bore is gray with defined rifling, light erosion, and some scattered pitting, rating 8/10 in this writer’s opinion. The refinished walnut stock shows pressure marks, scratches, and areas of wear, with the checkering on the wrist softened from refinishing. A notable age-related split is visible in the stock, though it remains intact and serviceable. The rifle’s mechanics are sound, and its markings, including the “.45-70” caliber stamp and Hepburn patent, are still legible.
For collectors of American sporting arms or shooters of black powder cartridge rifles, this Remington-Hepburn offers a great opportunity to own a historic and capable rifle from the golden age of single-shot design. While cosmetically worn, its bore condition and mechanical integrity make it a viable shooter for those interested in .45-70 handloading and vintage target shooting. As a classic sporting rifle built on one of Remington’s most respected actions, it stands as both a collectible firearm and a functional piece of 19th-century shooting history.
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