This is an exceptional example of a rare special order deluxe Remington Model No.3 Hepburn long range target rifle. These rifles were designed by Lewis Hepburn, a master mechanic, gunsmith and target shooter who worked for the Remington Arms factory circa, 1874-85 as a shop foreman. In 1873-74 the Irish shooting team challenged the U.S. to an international long range rifle match. The U.S. won that match, however, Lewis Hepburn noted the deficiencies in the Remington rolling block rifles used during those matches and set out to redesigned a completely new action for target shooting. Remington Arms developed and produced the Hepburn rifle starting in 1879. All Hepburn rifles were manufactured in limited numbers with the deluxe long range target rifles such as this one being manufactured in extremely, very limited numbers as they were intended strictly for the long range military matches. This rifle is probably chambered for the 44-100 Remington Hepburn Creedmoor cartridge and the barrel is barrel equipped with a spirit level, front globe target sight with a military style tangent rear sight. The rear sight is graduated from 1-4 (100-400 yards) on the side of the base with the face of the ladder graduated from 1-12 (100-1200 yards). In addition it is also fitted with a long range Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang (with a screw absent). The staff is graduated from 0-5 on the side of the staff with a locking eye-cup aperture. The lower left side of the receiver is marked "HEPBURNS PAT./OCT. 7TH 1879" and the serial number (3316) is stamped on the lower rear part of the tang. The entire rifle has a special order nickel finish with blue sights. It is fitted with straight grain walnut stock and forearm that has been beautifully checkered in a fine line pattern on the side of the pistol grip and in five different panels on the sides of the forend. The forend is held on by two nickel-plated "U" marked barrel bands with a sling swivel on the forward barrel band and front of the trigger guard. It also has a standard steel cleaning rod and iron shotgun buttplate, both also being nickel-plated.