Riflemakers List

Baker, John

School: Lancaster (Pennsylvania/PA)

Noted gunsmith researcher Sam Dyke located the name of John Baker, gunsmith, in county records spanning the period 1728-1750. Baker worked within the town of Lancaster. This establishes that Baker was in the first wave of early builders to begin the gunbuilding industry within the town.

Deming, D. R.

School: Maryland

Swanton The village of Swanton is located in present day Garrett County, just south and slightly east of Deep Creek Lake. He was in the immediate area where Abel Browning worked. He was the grantee of land which bordered the town which he purchased on April 17, 1912, from Prudence Friend. This appears to be a parcel of land that had belonged to Benjamin H. Deming. He was the grantor of 1 acre to Burdette E. Lawrence on May 12, 1921. Probably due to non-payment, he was the grantee of this same acre on May 8, 1922. He was the grantor of the first purchase to Andrew and Doris Friend in July 20, 1929. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

John, I Keener

School: Maryland

Baltimore John Keenerm, Sr. was born in 1771, a son of Peter Keener. He followed his father in the gunsmith trade. John and his father were gunsmiths at Green and North Streets, Baltimore. They advertised that they carried a large and extensive assortment of guns. John was married to Margaret and of this union John II and George were born. These sons became third generation gunsmiths. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

C.L.T.

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
The single rifle signed “LTC” in script on the brass patch box is certainly a Mecklenburg rifle as the engraving is classic for this school of makers. This rifle has no decorative carving. The gunmaker’s identity is unknown. Ivey Collection.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Nathan, Moll

School: Northampton/Lehigh (Pennsylvania/PA)

Nathan Moll School: Northampton/Lehigh Nathan Moll (1814 – 1882) was the younger brother of John Jr., Peter, and David Moll. After learning the trade from his brother, John Jr., in Allentown, Nathan first moved to Lower Saucon Valley in the mid – late 1830’s. Later he moved south of Quakertown to Rock Hill Township, Bucks County, where he built and repaired guns until moving to Iowa in the 1870’s.