R. B. Rodda & Co.      Soper Sporting Rifle       .500/450 #2 BPE  

Description: 25 1/2" Henry-rifled barrel with protected front bead sight, 1 standing and 3 folding platinum-lined island-mounted express sights engraved for 100, 150, 200 and unmarked, respectively. One-piece walnut stock with schnabel forend tip, classic point-pattern checkering, steel pistol grip cap, beaded cheekpiece and smooth steel buttplate. Soper Patent ingenious sidelever tilting block action acts like a mechanical microprocessor: depressing the lever, in the following order, cocks the hammer, retracts the firing pin, opens the breechblock and ejects the spent cartridge. Fine scroll and game scene engraved action, with cape buffalo on right, lioness chasing a zebra on underside and hippo on triggerguard. Weight: 7lbs, 4oz. Henry's barrel patent #909. Maximum bore diameter .466 inch. S/N 214 stamped on underside of breechblock. Built early 1870s. Retaining 99% blue and 90% case colors. With extensive loading accessories. The Soper, in British military trials, demonstrated aimed fire at the rate of 60 shots per minute, but was rejected in favor of the far simpler Martini design.

Literature: Pictured, Christopher Austyn, "Classic Sporting Rifles", Safari Press, Long Beach, CA, 1997, page72.

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