Active from 1859 to 1870, Slotter & Company was established by the Schlotterbeck Brothers, Henry and Charles, former employees of Henry Derringer who spent a few years selling guns under Derringer's name before getting sued. After the lawsuit, they sold pistols both as Slotter and as "J. Derringer" (a tailor with no experience or interest in firearms, who was just being paid for his name). German silver dovetailed blade front sight and steel notch rear sight with a one-inch wedge of engraving on the top flats of the barrel, "STEEL" on the right flat, and "SLOTTER/& Co PHILA" on the breech which has a pair of inlaid gold bands at the rear. A number of components on the pistol are also scroll engraved with the Slotter address repeated on the lock and an animal head design on the hammer. The stock is fine tiger-striped walnut with a scroll engraved German silver patch box with floral steel lid and the remainder of the furniture in silver, also scroll engraved, with floral bloom wedge escutcheons, pineapple trigger guard finial and a floral themed shield panel on the rear.

Fine. The barrel shows a mixed brown and gray patina with some light spotting, and the casehardened components show a dark brown color overall. The silver parts have taken on a deep antique patina. A few small chips are visible on the wood, concentrated around the lock plate, with some light handling marks and fine figure of the grain. The engraving is sharply executed, and the action is mechanically excellent. A top quality example of a Slotter & Company pocket pistol.