Product Details
A RARE .500/.450 NO.1 EXPRESS (2 3/4IN.) SINGLE-SHOT SPORTING RIFLE BY SOPER of READING, MODEL 'SOPER'S PATENT', serial no. 410,
circa 1870, with reblued round 28in. barrel, the flat sighting plane marked 'W. SOPER, RIFLE & GUN MAKER READING, ENGLAND' together with the William Soper monogram, dove-tailed beaded-blade fore-sight, rear-sight of one standing notch and one small folding ladder, the right hand side of barrel marked with a South African registration number, London proofs, border and scroll engraved action marked 'W. SOPER'S PATENT' on the lift-up breech together with the 'WS' trademark and signed 'W. SOPER, INVENTOR, PATENTEE & MANUFACTURER, READING' on the left hand side of hinge, chequered walnut straight-hand half-stock (cracked and repaired), border and scroll engraved butt-plate and trigger-guard, shaped dark horn fore-end cap and iron sling eyes, some pitting to exposed surfaces
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Estimate £800-1,200
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament