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Rare Roper Revolving Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
Rare Roper Revolving Rifle
Produced circa 1869-1876, this is a rare example of a revolving .41 caliber rifle as manufactured by Roper Sporting Arms Company, Hartford, Connecticut from 1869 to 1876. Built around a six-round shell carrier, with a breechblock connected to the hammer. Fitted with a combination Beech front sight, sporting type rear sight, a sighting groove along the top of the frame at the breech and a folding leaf rear sight graduated to 800 yards on the rear of the frame. The hinged loading gate is marked "ROPER. SPORTING ARMS CO. / HARTFORD, CONN. / PAT. APR. 10, 1866. JULY 4 1868". Blue barrel with casehardened housing and frame. Matching serial number on breechblock, barrel and frame. Smooth, nicely figured walnut forearm with pewter tip and straight grip stock with metal buttplate. Roper revolving rifles are very rare.
BBL: 28 1/4 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 41 cal
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 379
Condition: Very fine, with approximately 90% original blue finish with a few streaks of gray near the muzzle. The housing and frame retain approximately 30% plus original case colors mixed with a smooth gray patina. The buttplate has a smooth gray patina. The wood is also very fine with some minor dings and scratches mostly on the underside of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent.