The Remington-Hepburn rifles were designed by Superintendent Lewis L. Hepburn. Hepburn was a member of the American Creedmoor International Shooting Team. Half of the American team, including Hepburn, used Remington No. 1 Long Range Rolling Block rifles to win the first Creedmoor match in 1874. Hepburn apparently boasted that his rifle was made with his own hands. His experience meant that he fully appreciated what a rifle needed to stand up to the rigors of the booming target shooting scene of the late 19th century. Only an estimated few hundred of the Long Range Creedmoor rifles were manufactured between 1880 and 1907. This early example is marked "102" on the bottom of the barrel (under forearm), back of the forearm, and lower tang. The underside of the barrel ahead of the forearm is marked with the caliber designation "44 2 6/10" (.44-100 Remington Creedmoor). The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line address. The right side of the action has the Hepburn's patent marking usually found on the left side on later examples. The rifle is equipped with a windgauge spirit level front sight and has a long range Vernier peep sight with bases on the upper tang and top of the butt. The latter was used for the rather awkward but successful back position employed by many shooters in long range competitions. The rifle has a smooth forearm and checkered round knob buttstock with shotgun buttplate.

Fine. The rifle retains 50% of the original blue finish on the barrel and 40% case colors and has a brown patina on the balance. The action has a patchy appearance and spots of brighter tones. The wood is very good and has sharp checkering, minor marks, chips at the junction with the back of the receiver, and a chunk absent from the rear of the forearm. The action is excellent, and the markings are clear.