Hello All,

Looking for some Hepburn collectors to weigh in. I am in the process of acquiring a Military Hepburn, in Mr. Rowe’s book I see a section on Special Military Hepburns. Does every Military Hepburn fall under the “Special” category? There’s nothing particularly special about this one, straight wrist stock, no checkering or tang sights, etc. He also notes that one has not been found in 44-90, which this one is supposedly chambered for. Large emphasis on supposedly. It appears to have a late Military #1 RB rear barrel sight. I’ll post pictures when I get it in my hands, may be a couple weeks.

Thanks for the input Marlinguy! That would make sense, mine is serial number 4314, which falls in line with a couple others that Tom has documented. I can’t wait to get a hold of it.

Congrats on winning it!

I will absolutely be posting some pictures, upon doing more research I think I may be incorrect about the rarity of the 44-90 cartridge. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in my small brain I'm understanding that the 44 2-6/10" is a 44-90. The oddball caliber is a 44 2-7/8", which is also a 44-90? Just a longer case with maybe a heavier bullet? This makes zero sense to me but both COTW and HMCC list the 44-90 Rem Straight as having a 2.6" long case. For some reason I was thinking the 2.6" case was the 44-77. I'll still probably do a chamber cast to confirm its cartridge.

Logan wrote on Jun 3^rd, 2025 at 10:13pm:


The first .44-90BN ammo sold by Remington were the same case as the .44-77BN but with bullets seated out further to get the extra powder in the cases. Later the case length changed to become the more common .44-90BN we know. I'd guess yours being a Hepburn is too late to be the earlier .44-90 with generous throat to use the first type .44-77BN cases. Most likely it's either .44-90BN or Straight.

waterman wrote on Jun 5^th, 2025 at 4:45am:


Wonder how that would explain the two separate groups of numbers that were made at one time? I can't imagine any group of shooters all ordering the same military rifles together?
The group of three together seems possible, but the group of six doesn't.

MartiniBelgian wrote on Jun 5^th, 2025 at 11:59am:


Yes, but I think those built by Remington and Sharps for the 1874 Match were a little different situation since they knew who each shooter was and what barrel contour each wanted within the rules. 
I do agree that most makers did a run of standard models in groups of more than just one or two. Just not sure how many they'd have done at one time of these military Hepburns? Especially considering this was a bad time for Remington since these were made either just before bankruptcy, or just after Hartley acquired Remington and was bringing it back to life.

Took some pics on my lunch, she’s a little rough around the edges but she’s all there. I stuck a toothpick down the chamber until it hit the lip and it measures around 2 5/8” (high tech I know). I’d be willing to wager it’s the 44-2 6/10” cartridge. I’ll give her a good clean tonight, any suggestions on cleaning the case coloring without damaging it? Thanks.

I keep getting an error when trying to post pictures.

Logan

.

There is just some rust on the barrel I want to take care of before it gets worse, also on the receiver around some screws, just enough to stop it from spreading.

I’ve added many photos to an attached Google folder. I hope this is acceptable. 

*Bad link removed*

The notable things I’ve found are:
First and foremost obviously it is a Special Military.
There is no caliber marking on the barrel under the stock, only a “L.N. Walker” stamp and the serial number.
It has a late #1 RB military rear barrel sight, and there is a hole in the barrel ahead of said sight, filled with something fairly hard.
The trigger appears to have been modified by a shooter along the way, unless that deep crosshatching was done by Rem.
The butt plate has lots of dings/dents in it, doesn’t look like corrosion. Perhaps from setting the rifle on gravel often?
The bore is nearly immaculate, some very slight erosion near the breach.

Anybody have any idea on value? I already have people interested in it haha. Don’t really want to sell but if the price is right, I’d rather have a house.

Logan

Try this one, sorry for the headache.

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Wish I had a un messed with Hepburn. I have three but they all have been rebarreled and or stocked.They were all that way when I bought them. I would never molest a true honest to goodness original. I am going to have one some day. Got some money saved up now so the hunt is on...



JMH

jhm wrote on Jun 18^th, 2025 at 8:30pm:


I’ve got a lead on two more, saving money is hard when Hepburns are thrown at ya.

jhm wrote on Jun 19^th, 2025 at 7:21pm:


One trip to a quality gun show will easily fulfill the need for a nice original Hepburn. The last Colorado show had more of them than I've seen at one show ever before.

jhm,   pm sent tony<><

jhm wrote on Jun 24^th, 2025 at 10:58pm:


It's the same here also. I see maybe one Hepburn in a decade at our local collector gun show, and rarely for sale. Usually it's one someone just wants to display for one of our annual single shot shows. 
But they can come in spurts too. I had a friend who bought a beauty at Greeley Co. show 2 years ago in .32-20 and I was green with envy. Then I was selling something he wanted badly last year and I told him the Hepburn he bought had to be part of the payment.
Then a few months later at our August 2 day collector show I got a rebarreled Hepburn in .25-20 with a 15x Litschert scope at the show for a little more than the scope was worth. I'd prefer an original barrel, but wasn't going to complain at the seller's asking price.
I love my Ballards, but I tell people had I started with Hepburn rifles I'd have more of them instead. Some think they're ugly, but I think they're beautiful!