John Archer was a gunsmith in Wheeling (West) Virginia. One gun is dated 1882. Noted in my book on W Va Gunsmiths (3 editions). Sellers, American Gunsmiths, lists him in Wellsburg, north of Wheeling, w/o date or citation (way to go Selles).
I don't know of an American John Archer, Gunsmith. However, there were guns made by a gunsmith named Archer in London, at the end of the 18th century. One flintlock pocket pistol is illustrated in Antique Pistol Collecting by Frith and Andrews, published in 1960. Another, similar weapon is presently (15 April 2008) on sale in New Zealand. Good luck with your search.
John Wykeham Archer died in 1864.
John Wykeham Archer was born in 1808.
John Penrose - archer - was born in 1850.
John Penrose - archer - died in 1932.
John Bridges - archer - died in 1925.
John Bridges - archer - was born in 1852.
John Stuart Archer died in 2007.
John Stuart Archer was born in 1943.
John Lee Archer was born on 1791-04-26.
John Lee Archer died on 1852-12-04.
John Archer Elmore was born on 1762-08-21.
John Archer Elmore died on 1834-04-24.