Val Forgett

{{Short description|American firearms designer (1930–2002)}}

Val J. Forgett, Jr., (July 31, 1930 – November 25, 2002) founded the Navy Arms Company, Inc., in 1956 and is internationally recognized as the "father of the modern replica firearms business". Forgett created and designed over 100 different replica firearms models.{{cite book|last=Cumpston|first=Mike|title=Percussion Pistols and Revolvers: History, Performance and Practical Use|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LQausfRgWvYC&pg=PA8|year=2005|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-0-595-35796-3|page=8}}{{cite journal|last=Page|first=Warren|title=Black Powder Smoke|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F-OLCp0CCa4C&pg=PA66|issue=9|volume=74|date=December 1969|journal=Field & Stream|pages=64–67|issn=8755-8599}} Forgett was President of the National Firearms Museum and Chairman of the United States International Muzzle Loading Team, leading the U.S. to five consecutive World Championships, a feat unmatched to this day.{{cite journal|last=Brown|first=Robert K.|authorlink=Robert K. Brown|title=Soldier of Fortune|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RHAjAQAAIAAJ|journal=Soldier of Fortune|volume=29|year=2004|publisher=Omega Group, Limited|location=Boulder, Colorado|page=6}} An avid big-game hunter, Forgett was recognized by Safari Club International (SCI) as the first person in over 100 years to take all "Big Five" game species of Africa (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo) with a muzzle-loading rifle.{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Randy D.|title=Hunting Modern South Africa with Powder and Ball: A Discussion of Muzzleloader Hunting Experiences and Tactics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q9BX8lANB_MC&pg=PA36|date=January 1, 2008|publisher=Bitingduck Press LLC|isbn=978-1-932482-60-7|pages=36–37}}