Page 11 - Auction84-Book3

These two likely worked together on this lever
action prototype rifle while at Remington, or it could have actually
been designed under Hepburn’s direction due to it sharing the same buttstock as his Remington-
Hepburn falling block rifle as well as sharing slight visual similarities to his later patented designs of the Marlin lever actions. It should be noted that Hepburn’s name is stamped on two other somewhat similar Marlin lever action prototypes in this same auction (Lots 3002 and 3003, and one of which is wearing a brass inventory tag out of the Remington Factory Museum Collection). This example has a round bolt with an attached dust cover on top. The lever has an exposed locking lug extension that connects to a notch in the lever. The loading gate is mounted on the right side of the receiver with a magazine tube running below the barrel. The rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and a semi-buckhorn rear sight. The uncheckered forearm and stock are nicely figured American walnut. Consignor notes indicate this rifle once belonged to Herb Glass Sr. who purchased it from the Remington Factory Museum when they deaccessioned over 300 guns in the 1950s.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with light brown patina on the balance. 60% of the original case colors visible on the sides of the lever with brown patina on the balance. Stock is also very
fine with defined edges, a patch of moderate scuffs on the left of the forend, and some scattered light scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The
Estimate: 15,000 -
Milan J. Turk Collection.
25,000
9
"MADE BY JOSEPH RIDER NEWARK, OHIO"