Yesterday I stopped by a well-stocked local gun shop to do an FFL transfer and found a box of single shot parts and actions identified as Soper.  The actions and parts were in various stages of completion and, at first, I thought it might be a collection of items that someone had made castings of sometime in the recent past.  Because I didn't know anything about Sopar I went home and did a google search.  Turns out the action was developed in Britain in latter 1800s as a single shot cartridge replacement for military muzzle loaders of the period.  Although the actions are not marked, this got me thinking about my hypothesis on recent castings as the completed rifle is a complicated affair and the make seems fairly obscure in these modern times.  I have included links to pictures and would appreciate any information anyone might have on W. Sopar.  Many thanks in advance.

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I owned a Soper, for about a year, in '86. They are a marvel of design and workmanship. The side lever both opens the breech block and cocks it, at the same time.

Mine was a profusely engraved sporter, in 45 BP Express. It only weighted about 7.5 lb and would have kicked like hell, if I ever shot it.

Sometime before '85, there where a lot of complete actions, in the white, as well as parts, for sale, somewhere in the Bay Area. 

The dealer that bought mine, copied it with one of though actions and sold the copy, about '87/'88 for over $4,000, back at that time. I don't know what ever happened to mine.

Yes, the SF area.

I believe they are original Sopers.

I saw them in the Old Western Scrounger in El Cerrito about 1976 or 77. They were originals.