Remington-Hepburn No. 3 Sporting & Target Rifle in 40-70 Sharps Caliber

Serial #1352, .40 – 2 1/2" (.40-70 Sharps Straight), 26" heavy part-octagon barrel with a fine, bright bore that has strong rifling with some mild freckling within the grooves.  This is a handsome rifle that has matching numbers on the receiver and underside of the barrel beneath the forend.  The barrel has about 40-50% of the original blue remaining, mainly towards the breech, with the balance turned to a mellow plum-brown patina mixing with streaks of pewter gray and some areas of mild pitting ahead of the transition.  The receiver has an overall mottled brown patina with hints of muted color case-hardening on a few of the protected areas, as well as some traces of original blue on the breechblock.  The checkered walnut buttstock and metal-tipped forend have numerous small handling marks and minor blemishes scattered about the added varnish finish, with a few very small old chips at the butt of the rounded pistol grip.  The action is fully functional and lock smoothly.  This is a handsome rifle, and is in very good-near fine condition overall.  Antique