EXCEPTIONALLY RARE L. L. HEPBURN/ REMINGTON 1883 PATENT DOUBLE SHOTGUN.

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE L. L. HEPBURN/ REMINGTON 1883 PATENT DOUBLE SHOTGUN. SN 7. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This very unusual shotgun incorporates a number of original designs by this noted firearms inventor, probably built as a prototype while Hepburn was still with Remington, before he moved to Marlin. 30″ Laminated steel bbls with wide concave rib, are unmarked except for the no. “7” on loop. Bbl extension is typical Remington oval doll’s head. Case hardened, nicely machined, boxlock action has side lever and rebounding hammers resembling the famous Hepburn single shot action. In this case the side lever is on left side and retracts locking bolt. Centrally hung blued hammers are similar to those on Hepburn rifles. Water table is stamped “L. L. Hepburn Pat. Dec 18 1883”. There are no other markings on the action. Trigger guard is milled integral with floorplate. Semi pistol grip American walnut buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over steel buttplate with “widow’s peak”. Nicely checkered splinter forend with inset hard rubber tip has Deeley type release. Bore diameter: left -.756, right -.752. Bore restrictions: left -.050, right -.013. Wall thickness: left -.021, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 2-1/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 8-1/2 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. PROVENANCE: Jay Huber Estate Collection. Nicely framed bank draft dated Sep 18, 1880 to A. B. Hepburn and signed by L. L. Hepburn, mounted on card depicting Ilion factory photograph of Mr. Hepburn, and stating that he was foreman in the mechanical department at E. Remington & Sons. CONDITION: Good. Bbls retain a considerable amount of orig brown with good definition to pattern. Action case hardening is visible in protected areas, but is mostly silver to brown patina. Opening lever retains about 50% orig blue. Hammers retain 50 – 60% of their orig blue. Buttstock is fair replacement or possibly it is orig stock severely sanded and refinished. Orig forend is very fine with a good deal of what appears to be orig finish. Checkering is very slightly worn. Bores are very good, mostly bright and shiny with some areas of frosting toward breeches, with a number of very small dents toward muzzles. Action is very slightly loose. Locks are crisp. Almost nothing has been written about this very rare piece. One example is pictured in GUNS OF REMINGTON comp. by Howard M. Madaus on p. 252. Comparison of this piece with the one pictured reveals that the metal condition of this gun is considerably better than the one at the Remington Arms Co. Museum (pictured). This rare shotgun would be worthy of a correct reproduction buttstock. 4-41190 MGM42 (3,000-6,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1234	$2,012.50	EXCEPTIONALLY RARE L. L. HEPBURN/ REMINGTON 1883 PATENT DOUBLE SHOTGUN. SN 7. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This very unusual shotgun incorporates a number of original designs by this noted firearms inventor, probably built as a prototype while Hepburn was still with Remington, before he moved to Marlin. 30″ Laminated steel bbls with wide concave rib, are unmarked except for the no. “7” on loop. Bbl extension is typical Remington oval doll’s head. Case hardened, nicely machined, boxlock action has side lever and rebounding hammers resembling the famous Hepburn single shot action. In this case the side lever is on left side and retracts locking bolt. Centrally hung blued hammers are similar to those on Hepburn rifles. Water table is stamped “L. L. Hepburn Pat. Dec 18 1883”. There are no other markings on the action. Trigger guard is milled integral with floorplate. Semi pistol grip American walnut buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over steel buttplate with “widow’s peak”. Nicely checkered splinter forend with inset hard rubber tip has Deeley type release. Bore diameter: left -.756, right -.752. Bore restrictions: left -.050, right -.013. Wall thickness: left -.021, right -.030. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 2-1/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 8-1/2 oz, LOP 14-1/8″. PROVENANCE: Jay Huber Estate Collection. Nicely framed bank draft dated Sep 18, 1880 to A. B. Hepburn and signed by L. L. Hepburn, mounted on card depicting Ilion factory photograph of Mr. Hepburn, and stating that he was foreman in the mechanical department at E. Remington & Sons. CONDITION: Good. Bbls retain a considerable amount of orig brown with good definition to pattern. Action case hardening is visible in protected areas, but is mostly silver to brown patina. Opening lever retains about 50% orig blue. Hammers retain 50 – 60% of their orig blue. Buttstock is fair replacement or possibly it is orig stock severely sanded and refinished. Orig forend is very fine with a good deal of what appears to be orig finish. Checkering is very slightly worn. Bores are very good, mostly bright and shiny with some areas of frosting toward breeches, with a number of very small dents toward muzzles. Action is very slightly loose. Locks are crisp. Almost nothing has been written about this very rare piece. One example is pictured in GUNS OF REMINGTON comp. by Howard M. Madaus on p. 252. Comparison of this piece with the one pictured reveals that the metal condition of this gun is considerably better than the one at the Remington Arms Co. Museum (pictured). This rare shotgun would be worthy of a correct reproduction buttstock. 4-41190 MGM42 (3,000-6,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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