Hepburn 45-70 - What model number is it?

[RTS]

I have a question about a Hepburn 45.70 that I have. There is no Remington stamp on it at all. Just a small Hepburn stamp with paten number and date on the left side of the receiver. I beleive it may be a '' Sporter". The serial number is 3683. There is a flip up sight on the barrel, not on the tang behind the hammer. This sight may have been added long ago because there is also a basic buck horn ramp sight. the barrel seems heavy aslo. It's about 1 inch o.d. Does anybody have any info they can share?? I have pictures on my work computer that I'll add to this post tomorrow morning. The left side of the receiver is stamped "Hepburns Pat. October 1879". The barrel is 27-1/4" long. I would appreciate any information you can give me.

[marlinman93]

It is a #3 Hepburn Sporting Rifle, and yes tat second sight was added later, not factory.-Vall

[RTS]

Thanks for the reply Vall. Would you have any idea of an approx. value? The bore arrears excellent. I'm trying to find values for my guns for insurance purposes. I found a No. 3 Sporter on line selling for $3000. I thought that was high. It's condition (from posted pictures) appeared to be less than mine. What do you think?

[marlinman93]

From what I've seen selling at some of the larger shows, $3,000 might be a bit high. I see asking prices twice that amount, but I also saw a Hepburn in half octagon barrel, with swiss buttplate go unsold at our collector's show last August, with an asking price of $3500, and finally reduced to $3,100.
For insurance I would suggest $3k is great, but if it were to actually sell I'd go more in the $2500-$2650 range, if the bore is good. It's really a very nice gun overall.-Vall

[RTS]

Thanks Vall. You have been very helpful.