The Remington-Hepburn rifles were designs by Lewis L. Hepburn, the superintendent of Remington's mechanical department and a talented marksman who was a member of the famed American Creedmoor International Shooting Team that defeated the Irish team at the first Creedmoor shoot in 1874. The design was patented on October 7, 1879, and first marketed in 1880 and were offered by Remington until around 1907. Hepburn was later an influential designer for Marlin as was his son Melvin Hepburn. William Malcolm opened his rifle scope shop in Syracuse in 1855 and was one of the early leaders in firearms optics, especially in the U.S. where Malcolm "telescopic sights" were considered the best of the period. This rifle's low serial number suggests it was manufactured around the 1890s or earlier, but no factory records for dating serial numbers are available. The barrel is marked "E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y." (suggesting pre-1888 manufacture) on top and "45.70" on the bottom and is equipped with a scope in adjustable mounts with German silver fittings including a plaque reading "WM MALCOLM/SYRACUSE/-N.Y.-" The left side of the receiver has "HEPBURNS PAT/OCT 7TH 1878." It is equipped with a checkered forearm with iron forend cap, double set triggers, and checkered round knob semi-pistol grip buttstock with cheek rest and nickel Swiss buttplate. "6855" is marked on the bottom of the barrel and the lower tang. It appears the 8s were originally 3s. The buttplate is marked "6385." The back of the forearm has "6855" with 8 formed from a three and the first 5 stamped over an additional 8 (originally number "6385" like the buttplate).

Very fine. 95% plus original nickel remains on the buttplate which has only a couple flakes. 75% plus original blue, niter blue, and casehardened finishes remain with some light thinning, slight spotting, and minor edge wear. The action displays vibrant case colors in attractive patterns. The trigger guard and forend cap have mostly silvered out. The wood is also excellent and has crisp checkering and some minor surface scratches. Mechanically excellent. The scope is very good and has the vast majority of the original finish, some lacquer, and fairly clear optics. This is very attractive Hepburn complete with a period Malcolm scope with a number of desirable features.