This rifle is marked "H. SLOTTERBEK LOS ANGELES/CAL." 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 of San Francisco since Slotterbek was there regularly to visit his brother Charles. The barrel, ramrod, ramrod pipes, sling swivels, blade front sight, and double set triggers were all made by Slotterbek. The barrel is rifled with six grooves and gauges at 38 caliber. Marked "GAIN TWIST/WART/SILVER STEEL" on the right side at the breech end of the barrel. The blade on the front sight is mounted in a dovetail base with a V notch rear sight fixed on the barrel and a tang mounted mid-range vernier peep sight. Serial number "C,52X31" (X is an original number obliterated by a screw) marked on top of the tang underneath the peep sight. The forearm is 11 3/4 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 German silver escutcheons, as well as a German silver inlay on the underside. The fancy checkered pistol grip stock has a raised Pennsylvania style cheekpiece on the left side, and three German silver ovals; one on the left wrist, and one in the center of both sides of the buttstock. The stock is fitted with a curved brass buttplate. Complete with a wooden cleaning rod.

Very good plus. The barrel has turned to a smooth brown patina with scattered areas of light wear and small traces of the original blue finish on the fixed rear sight. The lock retains 40% vivid case colors with scattered light pitting on the back half. The frame retains 10% muted case colors in protected areas with mostly smooth brown patina and sharp markings. Mottled brown patina on the hammer and lever. Wood is fine with some light dents and scratches and some light finish wear. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive and well made Slotterbek Sharps sporting rifle!