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A.J. Plate, San Fran. Single Shot Flobert-Style Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:900.00 USD
A.J. Plate, San Fran. Single Shot Flobert-Style Rifle
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
A.J. Plate, San Francisco, Single Shot Flobert-Style Rifle, NVSN, .25 cal., 31-3/4'' octagon barrel, actual rifled section for Flobert use is 20-1/4'', originally brown finish, double set trigger, dark stained maple halfstock, with nickel escutcheons and accents, as well as patchbox to right side of butt. Adolphus Joseph Plate was born in 1818 in West Phalis, Russia, and came to America in 1840. After three fires in his New York furniture business, he fell victim to gold fever in 1849 meeting with moderately good fortune in the mines of San Francisco. In May 1850, he opened a little outdoor gun stand on Long Wharf (now Commercial Street), starting with a small stock of ammunition and second-hand pistols. In 1851 he opened a small store and later added a repair shop. From 1851 to his death in 1878, Platt's firearms were touted for their superior workmanship. He was one of the first to import arms from Europe to the Pacific Coast and built up a prosperous trade from Mexico to British Columbia. In 1859 Platt employed Charles Slotterbek who later gained fame with his modifications to the Sharps rifle. This rifle shows many characteristics of those found on later Slotterbek rifles. Condition is very good. Barrel shows overall moderately toning brown patina. Stock remains in very good condition with several professionally executed repairs. Rear sight may be a later replacement, missing elevator. Set trigger operates as designed. Rifle portion of bore is fine to excellent. Est.: $1,800-$2,400. (Antique)