This is a rare heavy barrel target example of a .41 caliber six-shot revolving rifle manufactured between 1869 to 1876 by the Roper Sporting Arms Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Roper rifles are encountered with far less frequency today than the Roper shotguns based on the same design. It features a six-shot revolving carrier enclosed in the frame, a bolt connected to the hammer, a rounded transition section at the front of the frame to accommodate the rare heavy octagon barrel, with a globe front sight, a folding notch and ladder rear sight on top of the frame just ahead of the hammer, "ROPER SPORTING ARMS CO./HARTFORD, CONN./PAT. APR. 10. 1866. JULY 14. 1868." marked on the hinged loading gate, smooth forearm with pewter end caps, and smooth buttstock with an iron rifle buttplate. The bottom chamber area of the frame is numbered "39", and number "333" is marked on the bolt and twice on the interior of the buttplate. The barrel is unnumbered. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Fine with an attractive naturally aged fresh appearance, with the barrel turned to a mottled brown patina, strong traces of vivid case colors showing around some of the edges and in protected areas with smooth brown and silvery gray patinas on the balance, scattered freckling and patches of oxidation/pitting. Wood is also fine with numerous scattered dents and scratches and defined edges. Mechanically fine. This is the only example of a heavy barrel target variant Roper rifle that this writer can recall as having been offered for sale by Rock Island Auction Company!