Page 193 - Auction84-Book3

LOT 3348
Interesting Remington No. 3 Hepburn
Side Lever Schuetzen Match Style Single
Shot Rifle with Walker Type Trigger Guard
- Serial no. 47263, 38-55 cal., 32 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, checkered walnut schuetzen
stock. This rifle was previously noted as from the Remington Ballistic Lab and sold when the lab closed in
1955, as well as from the David D. Sobel collection. Other Hepburn rifles from the Sobel collection also had notes stating they
were from the ballistic lab. These rifles may have been used to test cartridges similar to how Remington used Model 1885s to test cartridges
long after the model was discontinued due to the strength of the action. There are advertisements from the first half of the 20th century showing targets shot
at the Remington Ballistic Lab to demonstrate the potential of their ammunition. The “Walker-Hepburn” rifles were manufactured in very limited numbers in the early 20th century.
Only 23 of the specially handmade rifles are documented to have been sold: 10 in 1904, 1 in 1906, 11 in 1907, and 1 in 1908. This rifle was likely manufactured after the rest and has a Walker style trigger guard that is fixed in place instead of acting as the operating lever, and the rifle still uses the usual Hepburn side lever to open the breech. The barrel has the listed serial number on the bottom at the breech, a windgauge spirit level globe front sight, no provision for a rear sight, a pair of scope mounting blocks, and the Remington Arms Co. address.
The action has a Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang, the Hepburn patent marking on the left, no visible serial number, and adjustable double set triggers. The Schnabel style
forearm is checkered and has a contrasting tip insert. The large Schuetzen style buttstock has a checkered wrist, prominent cheek rest, and nickel plated Swiss buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent with 98% of the original blue and nickel plated finish, some minor oxidation mainly on the buttplate and tangs, and minimal age and storage related wear overall. The
wood is also excellent and has crisp checkering, minor edge wear by the frame and nose of the comb, and light handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a very interesting Remington Hepburn rifle with the iconic Walker trigger guard.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 3349
Very Fine “B” Quality Remington No. 3 Hepburn Match Single Shot Rifle - Serial
no. 5792, 32-40 cal., 28 3/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, deluxe
checkered walnut stock. Less than 1,000 of Hepburn match rifles in “A” and “B” quality were
manufactured c. 1883-1907. The “B” quality rifles like this one were the higher grade and feature checkered forearms and higher grade wood. The “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y.” barrel address and low serial number suggests this rifle was manufactured prior to the reorganization of the company as Remington Arms Co. in 1888. It
features a windgauge adjustable globe front sight, Vernier peep sight, checkered forearm with nickel Schnabel forend cap, and a nicely figured buttstock with high comb, cheek rest, checkered round knob pistol grip, and nickel plated Swiss buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus original blue finish, 80% original casehardened finish, 85% plus original nickel with minor flaking mainly on the prongs, and minimal light wear overall mainly from light handling and storage. The wood is also very fine and has crisp checkering, a few minor scratches and dings, attractive figure, and minimal wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Dr. William Warren; The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
191