This is a beautiful example of a very early single shot rifle that was expressly produced for the early "long-range" Creedmoor style target rifle matches in New York. These rifles can be easily identified by the extra long barrel, 34 inch, that allowed for a long sight radius, a single trigger, (versus a double set trigger which was not allowed, for those matches) a long range tang rear sight that allowed the sight to be adjusted out to 1,000 meters along with a windgauge front sight that was adjustable for windage. In addition these rifles were also equipped with a second rear sight base mounted on top of the very rear section of the stock comb. This second base actually allowed the shooter to move the rear sight staff to the very back end of the stock so that they had an even longer sight radius, which allowed the shooter to fire these rifles laying on their back with the rifle cradled between their legs. These Hepburn style rifles were produced circa 1880-1907 and represented a significant sales challenge to both the Winchester 1885 and Sharps 1874 model rifle also being produced during this time.They were very unique in that they have a very strong breechblock locking system and were built with a side mounted loading lever. This side mounted lever allowed the shooter to remain in a prone position when reloading, versus the Winchester and Sharps rifles, where the firer had to change positions or raise up to load their rifles, due to the dropping loading lever. The top center flat of the barrel is roll-marked "E.REMINGTON & SONS. ILION, N.Y." and the underside of the barrel is marked with the caliber "44 2-6/10" (a.k.a. 44-100 Remington, introduced in 1880) directly in front of the forend. The lower right side of the receiver is stamped "HEPBURN'S PAT./OCT. 7TH 1879" and the serial number "41" is stamped on the very end of the lower tang. This beautiful rifle has color casehardened frame and lever with niter blue hammer and trigger. It is fitted with a slightly fancy checkered English walnut stock that has a round knob pistol grip and a black horn forearm tip and checkered buttplate.

Very fine with 75% of the original color casehardened finish on the receiver, lower tang/trigger guard fading evenly overall with the balance turning a gray patina. The barrel, hammer and trigger all retain 90% plus of their original rust blue finish showing a slight spotty look on the barrel overall, mixed with some very old light rust specks in some areas. The refinished stock and forend are both very fine with attractive grain pattern with minor handling marks overall. The checkering on both the stock and forend are extremely fine (22 lines/inch) and excellent for the age of this rifle. The spirit level on the front sight has dried up. Mechanically the rifle is excellent.