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

Fine, 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!