He belongs to the Lancaster School
Maker of Kentucky style rifles and pistols
Hagerstown, Maryland. Peter was one of the sons of Mathias Roesser and learned the
gunsmith trade from his father in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. When his father died in 1771
he acquired the family homestead, but sold it to his brother-in-law Jacob Kraft, who was
also a gunsmith. About 1785 Peter and his family moved to Elizabeth Town where he continued
his trade. During the War of 1812 he moved about 15 miles up the Valley to Mercersburg,
Pennsylvania, and spent his later years in Lancaster where he died in 1823.
For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland.
For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.
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