Rare Roper Patent 12 Gauge Steel Shotgun Shell Ammunition

This is an original 12 Gauge Roper shotgun shell cartridge manufactured by Sylvester H. Roper of Amherst, Mass for his Revolving rifle / shotgun patented on April 10, 1866 (Patent No. 53881).  The rugged steel cartridge was designed to be reloaded and were made in both .32 and .41 calibers for his 6 shot revolving rifle and in 12 & 16 Gauges for the four shot  revolving shotgun.  This example is in very fine condition, darkened with age and showing a lightly pitted surface with some label residue on one side but otherwise excellent.   A very rare cartridge for a very rare gun and testament of the great innovation present in the post-Civil War era gun industry.