This is an exceptional example of an extremely rare Remington Walker-Hepburn Schuetzen rifle. These rifles were without a doubt the finest target rifle ever offered by Remington. These rifles were brought out to meet the long felt need of a match rifle of the most improved expert design, high class in workmanship, material and finish, and of extreme accuracy. These rifles were originally known as the Remington Schuetzen Match Rifle - New Special Model. They were made as short-range Schuetzen target rifles and were handmade at Remington's Custom Gun Shop under the direction of Louis N. Walker and built on a modified Hepburn receiver, hence the modern day collectors name of Remington Walker-Hepburn Schuetzen Rifle. These rifles were only illustrated in the Remington Arms Company catalog dated 1904-05 and in the 1904 M. Hartley company Illustrated Catalog. Only 23 of these specially handmade rifles were ever sold, 10 in 1904, 1 in 1906, 11 in 1907 and 1 in 1908, making them an extremely rare find today. The rifle is fitted with a heavy #4 blue finished octagon barrel, 15/16 inch across the muzzle. The top flat is marked "REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, N.Y. U.S.A.". The barrel is equipped with a globe front sight with interchangeable pin head and aperture discs and a bubble level in the rear dovetail. One of the distinguishing features of the rifle is the #3 Hepburn receiver which is modified with a scroll shaped under-lever and hand-made double set triggers. The receiver and lever are casehardened and the left side of the receiver is engraved "REMINGTON" in a downward arch over light scroll work over "Schuetzen" in Old English style lettering. The upper tang is fitted with a hand-made wind gauge mid-range Vernier sight with a windage adjustable staff. The lower tang is marked "WN 2". The breechblock is angled to cam the .22LR cartridge into the lands of the long chamber and the barrel has a 1-16 twist. The rifle is mounted with a varnished, walnut, multi-point checkered Schnabel forearm with contrasting forend insert and stamped "W H D" for William H. Deyle, Remington's master stock maker, on the inside and a pistol grip Schuetzen style stock with the same checkering pattern on the wrist, high comb and cheekpiece and specially designed nickel plated brass Swiss buttplate. The rifle is complete with a palm rest, with nickel plated base, blue finished shaft and walnut knob (currently not attached), and a rare (50) count box of original UMC 22 L caliber rimfire cartridges. To this date the palm rest which is numbered to the rifle (2) has not been installed. Remington left the option of installing the palm rest to the opinion of the owner. The box appears to have been opened at some time, but is now sealed in cellophane. The Walker-Hepburn pattern rifle was chambered for the 32-40 Ballard centerfire cartridge but other short-range calibers from 22 to 40 could be ordered, adding to the rarity of this rifle.
BBL: 30 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 22 long
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: WN2

Excellent. The barrel retains 98% original blue finish. The receiver retains 95% plus original bright case colors with some mild thinning to brown on the contact end of the lower tang. The lever retains 90% original bright case colors with areas most often touched during normal usage fading to a smooth mottled silver gray. The wood is also excellent with nearly all of the original varnish remaining and overall showing a few minor dings, dents and light scratches, with very crisp checkering. The buttplate retains 98% original frosted nickel finish with wear limited to the end of the prongs. All markings are crisp and clear. The action is excellent. This is truly an exceptional example of an original, extremely rare Remington Walker-Hepburn Schuetzen Target Rifle. Chances are that it will be a number of years before you see another offered at public sale and most likely it will not compare with the quality of this truly unique rifle!