The low serial number and the "E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y." barrel address suggest this rifle was manufactured around 1883-1888. Around 8,000-10,000 of these rifles were manufactured between 1883 and 1907 in a variety of configurations and levels of embellishment. The action was designed by Lewis L. Hepburn who was the superintendent of Remington's mechanical department and a top notch marksman and member of the American Creedmoor International Shooting Team. The design was patented in 1879 and first introduced the following year. This rifle features tight English style scroll engraving on most of the components. The barrel has engraving at the muzzle and around the folding combination bead and globe front sight ('86 and '91 patent marked), the address noted above, a combination notch and peep rear sight, scroll engraving and borders on the octagonal breech section, "40 1 7/8" on the bottom of the barrel ahead of the forearm (.40-45 Remington), and the matching serial number on the bottom under the forearm. The forearm is multi-point checkered and has an engraved steel cap and the matching serial number on the rear. The action has "HEPBURNS PAT/OCT. 7TH 1879" engraved on the right, scroll engraving, a tang mounted peep sight, and the serial number on the lower tang. The trigger guard has an animal panel scene, truly unique. The stock has a multi-point checkered round knob semi-pistol grip, some nice figure, a golden "P.B.C." inscribed inlay on the left side, no cheek rest, and a sporting style buttplate with border and scroll engraving. Most of the screws have floral pattern engraving. The rifle is pictured in Tom Rowe's "Remington's No. 3 Hepburn" on pages 212 and 213.

Exceptionally fine with 75% plus original blue finish, 60% original case colors on the frame, bright original niter blue on the hammer, smooth gray and brown patinas on the balance, some slight spotting, generally only minor age and storage related wear, and crisp markings and engraving. The wood is very fine and has crisp checkering, light pressure marks, attractive figure concentrated towards the front of the comb, and minor scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is a gorgeous piece from the heyday of match shooting with single shot rifles in the late 19th century.