Men of Faith, Makers of History: The Clergy Behind Firearms Innovation

From the Bench: How religious leaders revolutionized firearms technology

By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company

Originally published June 12, 2019 | Updated July 1, 2025

One of the most fascinating aspects of firearms history is how many groundbreaking innovations came from an unexpected source: men of the cloth. These religious leaders, driven by practical needs and intellectual curiosity, created some of the most important advances in firearms technology.

Let's explore their remarkable contributions.

Reverend Alexander John Forsyth: The Father of Modern Ignition

The Scottish Minister Who Changed Everything

Alexander John Forsyth (1768-1843) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister whose frustration with hunting in damp Scottish weather led to one of the most consequential firearms inventions in history.

The problem: Forsyth was an avid bird hunter who relied on flintlock ignition systems. Scotland's notoriously wet climate meant frequent misfires when moisture affected the powder in the pan. The delay between the flash in the pan and the main charge igniting also gave birds time to escape.

The solution: Between 1805 and 1807, Forsyth developed and patented the first practical percussion ignition system using fulminating compounds – unstable, friction-sensitive explosive compounds that would detonate reliably even in damp conditions.

The Revolutionary Impact

Forsyth's percussion cap system, patented in 1807, became the foundation for 150 years of firearms development. This wasn't just an incremental improvement – it was a quantum leap that:

• Eliminated weather-related misfires

• Provided instantaneous ignition with no perceptible delay

• Increased reliability dramatically over flintlock systems

• Enabled rapid-fire development that had been impossible with flintlocks

• Led directly to modern centerfire cartridges

Historical significance: The percussion system was so revolutionary that it remained the standard ignition method until the development of self-contained cartridges in the 1860s. Every major military in the world adopted percussion ignition for their firearms.

John Moses Browning: The Mormon Pioneer's Legacy

A Family Forged by Faith and Necessity

John Moses Browning (1855-1926) inherited both his father's gunsmithing skills and his family's history of religious persecution. His father, Jonathan Browning, was a gunsmith in Nauvoo, Illinois, who fled west with thousands of other Mormons after violent conflicts in the 1840s.

The historical context: After the tragic events in Nauvoo and the murder of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young led the Mormon exodus to Utah. Young specifically commissioned Jonathan Browning to design weapons that would help protect the Mormon people in their new territory.

The Son Surpasses the Father

Born in Ogden, Utah, John Moses Browning took his father's mission to heart – but expanded it to protect all people, not just his religious community.

His incredible achievements:

• Over 120 patents in firearms design

• Engineered his first firearm at age 13

• Licensed designs to major manufacturers including Colt, Winchester, and Remington

• Created the foundation for virtually every modern firearm action type

Browning's Revolutionary Designs

JMB's innovations include:

• Semi-automatic pistols (Colt 1911, still in production today)

• Automatic rifles (BAR - Browning Automatic Rifle)

• Machine guns (M2 .50 caliber, still used worldwide)

• Shotguns (Auto-5, the first successful semi-automatic shotgun)

• Lever-action rifles that improved on Winchester designs

Modern relevance: At Blue Coat Arms Company, we work on Browning-designed firearms regularly. His engineering was so sound that many of his designs are still in production over a century later – a testament to his genius.

Other Notable Clerical Innovators

Reverend John Milton

Developed the two-block firing mechanism, an early advancement in firing system reliability that influenced later percussion developments.

Captain Claude-Étienne Minié

While not clergy himself, Captain Minié developed the Minié ball – a revolutionary bullet design that was:

• Easier to load in fouled rifle barrels

• More accurate than previous designs

• Devastatingly effective on Civil War battlefields

Sir Hiram Maxim

Born in the USA but working in Great Britain, Maxim created the first fully functional machine gun in 1884. While not clergy, his invention was so effective that virtually every European military adopted it, fundamentally changing warfare.

The Blue Coat Arms Company Connection

Learning from Historical Craftsmanship

At Blue Coat Arms Company, my 9 years of gunsmithing experience has given me deep appreciation for the ingenuity of these historical innovators. Working on firearms from their era – particularly percussion-era firearms and Civil War reproductions – connects me directly to their legacy of problem-solving and craftsmanship.

What I've learned through hands-on experience:

• Historical firearm restoration using period-appropriate techniques

• Custom parts fabrication when originals are no longer available

• The engineering principles that made these innovations so enduring

• How modern techniques can honor traditional craftsmanship

Education Meets Experience

My training from Sonoran Desert Institute's gunsmithing program (where I earned my Associate's Degree) gave me both the historical knowledge to understand these innovations and the modern technical skills to work on them effectively.

Our specialized expertise includes:

• Research and development projects that honor traditional craftsmanship

• Antique firearm restoration with attention to historical accuracy

• Custom fabrication using both traditional and modern techniques

From the Gunsmith's Bench: A 9-Year Perspective

What These Innovators Teach Modern Gunsmiths

In my 9 years as a gunsmith, working on firearms from Forsyth's percussion era through modern designs, I've gained tremendous respect for these clerical innovators. Their work teaches us several important lessons:

Practical problems drive innovation: Forsyth's damp Scottish weather led to revolutionary ignition systems – just like the problems I solve daily in the shop drive me to find better solutions.

Quality engineering endures: I regularly work on 150+ year old percussion firearms that still function because Forsyth's principles were sound.

Innovation builds on innovation: Every modern firearm I work on traces its lineage back to these foundational innovations.

Continuing Their Legacy

Just as these men of faith solved practical problems through innovative thinking, I approach each project with the same spirit. Whether I'm fabricating a missing percussion cap nipple for a Civil War-era rifle or restoring a Browning-designed lever action, I'm continuing the tradition they established.

My experience has shown me:

• The importance of understanding history to do quality restoration work

• How traditional techniques can solve modern problems

• Why these innovations were so revolutionary – you truly appreciate them when you work on the firearms they made possible

Teaching the Next Generation

Passing Down the Craft

One of the most rewarding aspects of my 9 years in gunsmithing has been sharing this knowledge. My oldest daughter, now 9 years old, has developed a real interest in gunsmithing and helps in the shop. Watching her learn the basics reminds me of how these historical innovators likely passed their knowledge to the next generation.

The importance of mentorship: Just as these clerical innovators built on each other's work, we need to continue teaching these skills to preserve both the craft and the historical knowledge behind it.

Research and Development: Honoring the Past, Building the Future

Modern Innovation with Historical Roots

Blue Coat Arms Company is actively involved in Research and Development projects for various contractors – work that connects directly to the innovative spirit of these historical figures. We're one of the few gunsmithing shops in central Illinois engaged in this type of work.

What sets our approach apart: My college training combined with 9 years of hands-on experience gives me both the historical perspective to understand these innovations and the modern expertise to apply their principles to contemporary challenges.

The Enduring Legacy

From Personal Experience to Historical Appreciation

My 9 years working on firearms from every era – from percussion rifles to modern designs – has given me a unique appreciation for how these clerical innovators changed everything. Every day in the shop, I see evidence of their genius in the firearms that cross my bench.

Their lasting impact on my daily work:

• Percussion systems that still function after 150+ years

• Browning designs that remain in production today

• Engineering principles that guide modern restoration work

• Problem-solving approaches that inspire contemporary solutions

Preserving Their Work

At Blue Coat Arms Company, we're not just restoring old firearms – we're preserving the legacy of these innovative religious leaders. Every percussion rifle we restore, every Browning design we maintain, connects us to their tradition of solving problems through skilled craftsmanship and innovative thinking.

From the Gunsmith's Bench: Final Thoughts

After 9 years of working on these historical firearms, I have tremendous respect for the ingenuity of these men of faith. Their innovations weren't just technical achievements – they were solutions to real-world problems that improved people's lives and changed history.

Whether you're interested in the historical significance of these innovations or need restoration work on firearms from this era, understanding the stories behind the technology helps us appreciate the craftsmanship involved.

No matter your era, we got your six – and we honor the tradition of innovation that these remarkable men of faith established.