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LOT 1074
Rare and Desirable Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle by Henry
Slotterbek, Los Angeles, California - Serial no. C,5231, 38 CF cal., 30 1/2 inch
part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 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. “H. SLOTTERBEK LOS ANGELES/CAL.” is
marked on top of the barrel behind the rear sight, and “GAIN TWIST/WART/SILVER STEEL” is marked
on the right side at the breech. The ivory 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, and a wedge and decorative German silver
escutcheons have been added. The fancy checkered pistol grip stock has a raised Pennsylvania
style cheekpiece on the left side and three German silver oval inlays: 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.
CONDITION: 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 is on the hammer and lever. The buttplate displays attractive aged patina, and the German
silver remains mostly bright. The wood is fine with some light dents and scratches and light finish
wear. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive and well-made Slotterbek Sharps sporting rifle!
Provenance: The Dr. Richard J. Labowskie Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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