This rifle is marked "H. SLOTTERBEK LOS ANGELES" on top of the barrel behind the rear sight. Henry Slotterbek moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in 1869 and worked there until his death in 1888. As this rifle shows, he was a fine craftsman. Most of the Slotterbek guns were shipped to A. J. Plate, who was in better financial condition. The gunsmiths who were converting Sharps almost always ordered the cheapest guns, since they were going to replace almost everything anyway. Plate was in San Francisco, but Slotterbek was there regularly to visit his brother Charles. The barrel, ramrod, ramrod pipes, sling swivels, ivory blade front sight, and double set triggers were all made by Slotterbek. The barrel is rifled with six grooves and gauges at 45 caliber. The ivory blade on the front sight is mounted in a dovetail base and the rear sight is a Lawrence patent folding leaf graduated to 800 yards. The forearm is 11 inches long including the fancy pewter tip. It is held in place by the standard screw at the rear but a wedge has been added to hold the front end, that has decorative silver escutcheons, as well as a silver inlay on the underside. The rear ramrod pipe holds the front sling swivel. The stock is the standard version with a saddle ring bar base on the left wrist and the addition of two silver inlaid shields, one on the left wrist and the other in the left center. The stock is fitted with an iron carbine buttplate. Complete with a wooden cleaning rod.

Very good plus. The barrel has a smooth mottled brown patina. The lock and receiver show strong (10%) case colors, mainly in protected areas with a smooth mottled dark patina. The wood is fine with exception of a small lump on the right side of the stock and overall some scattered minor dents and scratches. The receiver marking is fading, but readable. The action is excellent.