This is a very scarce example of a four-shot variant .41 caliber four-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. This example features a shotgun type four-shot revolving cartridge carrier enclosed in the frame, of which the shotgun type four-shot carrier is known in some of these rifles as factory made, a bolt connected to the cocking hammer, a rifled octagon barrel with a dovetailed front sight base (absent front sight), a dovetailed folding ladder rear sight, "ROPER SPORTING ARMS CO./HARTFORD, CONN./PAT. APR. 10. 1866. JULY 14. 1868." marked on the hinged loading gate, smooth walnut forearm with pewter end caps, and smooth walnut buttstock with an iron shotgun type buttplate. Serial number "328" marked on the bottom chamber area of the frame and barrel as well as the interior of the forearm, with "388" (possible factory error) on the bolt, and "425" marked on the right breech area of the barrel. Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection

Very good, retains traces of original blue finish concentrated in protected areas of the barrel, traces of original nickel finish the frame strongest in protected areas, with mostly smooth gray patina on the balance of the iron, scattered brown surface freckling, and distinct markings on the loading gate. Wood is also very good with numerous scattered dents and scratches, and distinct edges. Mechanically fine.