The Navy Arms Story

Val Forgett Sr.: "Father of the Modern Replica Firearms Industry."
Engineer, firearms expert, re-enactor, coach, hunter, collector, mentor and visionary, Forgett combined his talents and interests in 1956 to found Navy Arms. With a passion that only comes from a true aficionado, he tirelessly promoted replica shooting, competition and collecting. Indeed, the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting would not likely exist as it does today without the pioneering efforts of Val Forgett, Sr.

Val Sr.'s faith in Navy Arms products was unmatched. To prove the effectiveness of his replicas, Val Sr. successfully hunted the "Big Five" most dangerous animals in Africa - Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Leopard and Lion - all with a Navy Arms muzzleloader. He was honored by Safari Club International as the first hunter in the 20th century to achieve this feat.

A tireless promotor or the shooting sports - he founded the U.S. International Muzzleloading Team in 1976 and lead them to five world championships in a row, a feat unmatched today.

Val Forgett, III & Val, Sr.

Val Forgett, Sr. passed away on November 25th, 2002 at the age of 72. His life's work, his legacy, is Navy Arms, for Navy Arms embodies everything he stood for: Quality, Integrity, Innovation. For nearly 50 years, Val Sr. built Navy Arms using these simple philosophies, one's he passed down to his son, Val Forgett, III. Val III worked with Val Sr. for nearly 20 years, learning the skills it takes to run a great gun company.

Val Forgett, III, Carrying on the Navy Arms Tradition.

To follow a man who founded and built not just a company, but an industry is a daunting task. I am fortunate to have mentored under my father for many years and learn the lessons that 50 years in the replica industry taught him. As a lifelong hunter, skirmisher, collector and Cowboy shooter, I have tried to absorb as much of the collective knowledge of Val Sr. and his peers as possible. In doing so, I have had the privilege of hunting, shooting and working with these great men, themselves legends in their fields. It is this insight that I will use to carry on the finest traditions of Val Sr. and Navy Arms.

His concept of Navy Arms was simple, build good quality replicas and attend to the customer's needs. This commitment to quality extends to Navy Arm's valued and trusted vendors.. My father began deep relationships with these companies decades ago. Val Sr. was the first customer of such famous replica makers as Aldo Uberti, Davide Pedersoli, Gusuippe Pietta and Luciano Amadi. Like Navy Arms, these companies successfully transitioned to 2nd generation family management.

Collectively, we are carrying on the traditions started by our fathers nearly 50 years ago. I am proud to have the opportunity to continue the great traditions started by Val Sr.

Navy Arms continues to come up with new and innovative products to serve the replica and black powder community. We trust you will find our products to be of excellent design and quality and our staff committed to servicing these products. We thank you for your business and look forward to serving you.