Sharpshooter

Sharpshooter, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in 1976, represents one of the last electro-mechanical pinball machines produced during the pivotal transition period before the solid-state revolution. The machine embraced a classic Western/shooting gallery theme that was popular during this era, featuring artwork and gameplay elements that celebrated marksmanship and Old West imagery.

The machine's design incorporated traditional elements of the era, including pop bumpers, drop targets, and typically featured a shooting gallery-style arrangement of targets. The playfield layout was engineered to simulate the experience of target shooting, with players trying to hit specific sequences for maximum points. Like other EM games of its time, it utilized mechanical score reels and relay-based logic for scoring and game operations.

As one of the later EM machines, Sharpshooter represented the culmination of nearly three decades of electro-mechanical pinball engineering. It demonstrated the sophistication possible with purely mechanical systems just before the industry's transition to solid-state electronics. While production numbers aren't definitively known, machines from this era typically saw production runs of 2,000 to 4,000 units.

The game remains a sought-after collector's piece, particularly among enthusiasts who appreciate the craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity of the electro-mechanical era. Its theme and timing make it historically significant as one of the final examples of pure electro-mechanical pinball engineering before the industry's technological revolution.