Riflemakers List

Ealer, Lewis W.

School: Maryland

Baltimore Lewis Ealer was born in 1791 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was in business for himself as a master lock and gunsmith in the Fell’s Point section of Baltimore in 1822. In 1827 he moved to Oldtown. He returned to Philadelphia in 1837 where he continued to follow the trade. In 1857 he went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was in partnership with his son. Franklin A., who was born in Maryland in 1832. Lewis was again in Philadelphia in 1865. He was married to Susanna and had 5 children. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

Baker, Joshua

School: Lancaster (Pennsylvania/PA)

Joshua Baker (d.1753), son of John Baker, worked in Lancaster Boro as a gunsmith, most likely in his father’s shop. Baker’s will is recorded in the court house records and he is referred to as a gunsmith in this document. Earlier courthouse records list him as a ‘gunbarrelsmith.”