| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
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| Forsyth, Alexander John |
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(fôrs th´) (KEY) , 17691843, Scottish inventor. He invented in 1807 the first workable percussion cap for the ignition of gunpowder in firearms. Forsyth refused an offer from Napoleon of £20,000 for the secret and was later pensioned by the British government. |
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| | | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
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