Riflemakers List

Harper, Edward

School: Bear Creek School (North Carolina/NC)

Born in 1780 in Chatham County, died 1857. He worked a few miles away from Mechanics Hill, North Carolina near present day Harpers Cross Roads. He was the father of gunsmith John Harper. Both father and son are considered provincial or back-country gun makers. While they were influenced by the Kennedys, they were not restricted to conform to any shop standards.
Source:
Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Roesser, Mathias

School: Lancaster (Pennsylvania/PA)

Mathias Roessor (Roeser) was listed as a gunsmith in the 1759-1770 circa. He was one of the patriarchs of the Lancaster school of gunbuilding. A memorial plaque was erected by the Commonwealth in 2000 in Lancaster which reads: Mathias Roeser…Here from 1740-1771 lived one of colonial America’s most important gunsmiths. His work was central to the development of the Pennsylvania rifle. Other family members, and an apprentice, William Henry, Sr., became leading gunsmiths and supplied arms to the patriot cause in the Revolution.”

Kennedy, Enoch S.

School: Bear Creek School (North Carolina/NC)

Born in 1805 in Moore County, died 1835. Part of the well known, Kennedy family of gunsmiths of Mechanics Hill, North Carolina. Son of David Kennedy. A known coin silver mounted flintlock pistol bears identical engraving found on other Kennedy made rifles. The pistol is signed in script “ES Kennedy” on a silver plate inlayed in the top flat of the barrel.
Source:
Ivey, William. North

Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Harris, James

School: Maryland

Baltimore James Harris was born in 1820 in Maryland. He is listed from 1852-1876 at two locations in the Baltimore City Directories. In his first ad he mentioned rifles made to order. He was succeeded in 1877 by Edward Melchoir. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.