Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3234

Lot 3234:Prototype Roper Revolving Rifle

May 4th, 2025|Bedford, TX
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3234

Lot 3234:Prototype Roper Revolving Rifle

May 4th, 2025|Bedford, TX
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$8,500 - $13,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Incredibly Rare Documented Prototype Roper Revolving Rifle, Pictured in Roy Marcot's Book "Spencer Repeating Firearms"

This incredibly rare prototype Roper six-shot revolving rifle was manufactured c. 1865-1866 by Sylvester H. Roper out of his shop in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The rifle shows features outlined in U.S. patent number 53,881 granted April 10, 1866 to Sylvester H. Roper; this was one of numerous inventions by Roper including knitting machines, sewing machines, hot air furnaces, kitchen ranges, automatic screw machines and a steam powered bicycle. This exact prototype rifle is pictured along with another prototype example on page 230 of the book "Spencer Repeating Firearms" by Roy Marcot; on page 228 of the book the author states, "Two early prototype Roper rifles have survived and while both display many characteristics of later production arms, they are diminutive in scale and unmarked. One, without a forend [this example], is believed to be the earlier of the two and has a hinged loading gate that lifts up from the front. The other has a wooden forend and a loading gate that lifts from left to right, like all of Roper's later production guns. The exact number of prototype rifles made is not known." In early 1866, in the early stages of the invention of this Roper prototype, Christopher M. Spencer, inventor of the famous Spencer repeating rifle among many other things, left Boston to team up with Sylvester H. Roper in the further development of his invention, in which the pair operated out of Roper's Roxbury shop. Once the pair was satisfied with the design of the Roper firearm, they sought financial backing, in which they found in Amherst, Massachusetts, and the shop was relocated there to form the Roper Repeating Rifle Company. There are no visible markings on this prototype rifle. It is chambered for use with .36 caliber ammunition with a rifled bore, and features a six-shot revolving cartridge carrier enclosed in the frame, a hinged loading gate that lifts from the front located on top of the frame, a bolt connected to the circular shaped cocking hammer, a globe front sight mounted on the round barrel, a fixed peep rear sight on top of the frame just ahead of the hammer, and a smooth walnut buttstock with an iron rifle buttplate. Provenance: The Al Thompson Collection; The Charles Marx Collection

ConditionFine, exhibiting a mix of smooth brown and gray patina, and a few patches of minor pitting. Stock is also fine with numerous scattered scratches and dings, a few small cracks visible ahead of the buttplate, and defined edges. Mechanically fine. This incredibly rare prototype Roper revolving rifle serves as an important evolutionary artifact, and would make a fine addition to any advanced antique American firearms collection!
Details
ManufacturerRoper Repeating Rifle Co.
ModelRevolving Rifle
TypeRifle
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge36
Barrel19 1/4 inch round
Finishbrown
Stockwalnut
Bore conditionThe bore is partially darkened with some corrosion and distinct rifling.

Item LocationBedford, TX
Views483
Catalog page150
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3102H. Schroeder Heavy Barrel Buffalo Rifle Spencer Conversion
View Lot
Lot 49A.J. Plate Marked Spencer Model 1865 Repeating Sporting Rifle
View Lot
Lot 1077Roper Sporting Arms Co. Revolving Rifle
View Lot
Lot 1105Engraved Miller Patent/Billinghurst Pill-Lock Revolving Rifle
View Lot
Show More