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Remington Hepburn # 3

oneoldsaponeoldsap Member Posts: 563 ✭✭✭✭
edited January 2017 in Ask the Experts
I have been asked to evaluate and appraise a Remington Hepburn # 3 Match Rifle , for a friend that's trying to help a widow liquidate her assets to offset Nursing Home debt . The rifle is a No. 3 Grade B Match . The S/N is 58XX , which I'm told makes it pre 1888 , also has the E. Remington & Son,s Ilion N. Y. rollstamp . Has had the barrel relined to .22 cal. and chambered to .22 Hornet . The work was done by a Mr. C.C. Johnson , of Thackery , Ohio . I believe the work was done sometime in the 40s according to some info I received on another forum . Rifle is in excellent condition , and does not look it's age . Rifle does have minor pitting from improper storage (dust spots that gathered moisture) . Bluing is in good condition also , and has probably 80% of it's case coloring left on the receiver . I don't know if Mr. Johnson was a smith noted for working on these guns or not . That's part of the info I'm searching for . Has the Swiss buttplate , double set triggers and tang and globe sights it was born with . The S/N on the barrel however , is 4 digits off from the receiver S/N , and stamped 38. 1 3/4 , which was the original chambering of the barrel ( a mystery ) . Did Mr. Johnson have more than one in his possession at the same time , for the same work , and put the wrong barrel on the wrong gun ? Your guess is as good as mine ! I've been told that less than 1,000 B Match rifles were ever built . Again I don't know (expert needed) . Any help establishing a value for this piece , would be greatly appreciated . Thanks much for the help !

Comments

  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    sounds like you have looked at a rifle close to being a twin to one I have. I purchased mine a number of years ago right here on GunBroker after replying to a question on the forum side . Mine was missing the barrel
    but had all other parts including adjustable Tang Sights and Swiss butt plate case color was great .There is a man that makes a reproduction of the Hepburn name starts with letter Z. I had him re barrel mine with a heavy barrel that could be used with original Forearm IT is now chambered in 38/55 so I can shoot it and even get ammo. Love to shoot it but much too heavy for me to use unless from some type of rest. I think the HEPBURN is on par with Winchester
    HIGH WALL sorry BERT H but like all makes of High end
    rifles They only bring big bucks in Original condition. any modification will really reduce it's value when trying to sell. It is no longer a collector item may be a great shooter but very few old-school people left shooting these types of rifles .

    EDIT I also have a SHARPS BORCHARDT that was converted to 22 Hornet This has a Long tube 20X target scope it shoots smaller groups than any hornet I have ever owned Sadly I dont have any pictures of either again value is mostly set by the number of the shooting public that want such a item in my case and I suggest in your case very few people
    C
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would love to see pic's of both if you have the time.
  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,257 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am only vaguely familiar with C. Johnson's name from reading or seeing some of his work. He is noted for high quality work. I can only estimate a value of $800+ and that from someone interested in the old rifles and altered to a modern caliber. A gunshow is a good place to get a real estimated value.
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by oneoldsap
    I have been asked to evaluate and appraise a Remington Hepburn # 3 Match Rifle , for a friend that's trying to help a widow liquidate her assets to offset Nursing Home debt . The rifle is a No. 3 Grade B Match . The S/N is 58XX , which I'm told makes it pre 1888 , also has the E. Remington & Son,s Ilion N. Y. rollstamp . Has had the barrel relined to .22 cal. and chambered to .22 Hornet . The work was done by a Mr. C.C. Johnson , of Thackery , Ohio . I believe the work was done sometime in the 40s according to some info I received on another forum . Rifle is in excellent condition , and does not look it's age . Rifle does have minor pitting from improper storage (dust spots that gathered moisture) . Bluing is in good condition also , and has probably 80% of it's case coloring left on the receiver . I don't know if Mr. Johnson was a smith noted for working on these guns or not . That's part of the info I'm searching for . Has the Swiss buttplate , double set triggers and tang and globe sights it was born with . The S/N on the barrel however , is 4 digits off from the receiver S/N , and stamped 38. 1 3/4 , which was the original chambering of the barrel ( a mystery ) . Did Mr. Johnson have more than one in his possession at the same time , for the same work , and put the wrong barrel on the wrong gun ? Your guess is as good as mine ! I've been told that less than 1,000 B Match rifles were ever built . Again I don't know (expert needed) . Any help establishing a value for this piece , would be greatly appreciated . Thanks much for the help !




    "Cartridges of the World", has a section on the 38-40 Remington Hepburn. Likely to be same same as the 38 1 3/4, that is stamped on your rifle.

    Agree with other posters, vis a vis resale value. The relining, pitting, etc. Kills collectors value. Only way for it to be sold for top dollar, is as a candidate for restoration. Or to be parted out. Buttplate, stock, double triggers, sights, would be worth a lot in and of themselves. Being .22 Hornet it would be a excellent varminter, mounted with a scope and replacement stock. The only problem is to obtain a trigger, that would work.
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 38-40 Rem. Hepburn in my collection has a case length of 1.791" (just 0.041 over 1 3/4") with a OAL of 2.286". All things considered, this is a real possibility.
    The 38-50 R-H has a case length of 2.253 with a OAL of 2.842"
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