GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SOPER SINGLE SHOT RIFLE, RETAILED BY S. W. SILVER.SOPERSS RIFLE227577/450Cal. 577/450. 27-1/2" Tapered round bbl fitted with full length broad matted rib, mounting one standing two folding leaf plus ladder long range express rear sights and small front bead, is engraved S. W. Silver & Co 29 Old Bond St & 67 Cornhill London." (Yes, the inventor of the famous recoil pad) on unmatted portion of rib. A sling eye is soldered to bottom of bbl. Unusual Soper action patented in 1865, operates with side lever which lifts transverse dropping block while actuating extractor and cocking hammer. While at full cock, action cannot be operated without depressing long release lever at right of trigger. This action is engraved "Inventor & Patentee W. SOPER" "Manufacturer" "Reading" on left side with action number and SN "227" on receiver ring and trigger plate. Nicely marbled and lightly figured European walnut steel capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over steel buttplate. Flat top checkering with rounded borders wraps over grip. Matching checkering except in point pattern, is at fore piece which has horn tip. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/4", drop at comb: approx 2-3/8". Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". CONDITION: Very fine, as mostly refinished. Bbl retains nearly all of a high quality rust-blue. Top portion of action has traces of case hardening color. Trigger plate and guard re-blued and retain nearly all of that blue. Stock retains most of a well done hand rubbed oil finish over numerous marks. Checkering has been lightly freshened. Bore is good, strong Henry rifling, scattered pitting. Action works smoothly. 51693-12 MGM186 (2,000-3,000)