William Soper, Reading, England

Manufacturer of a single shot breech loading rifle, renowned for its rapidity of fire.

• The Soper Rifle - Sent for trial at Woolwich, the rifle and was rejected on the ground of "complication of breech arrangement." [1867].
• Breech-loaders V. Muzzle-loaders - Report of comparative firing of the Enfield muzzle loader and the Soper breech loader [1869].
• The Soper Rifle Factory – In Liquidation - News report from 1881 dealing with the sale of the Soper Rifle Factory.