Hi Sally
I am descended from the Brueton gun makers too.
The family history, as you have noted, is extremely convoluted and difficult to research because of the name, the fact that they called their children similar names and all seem to be involved in the gun business for several generations.
I have made some attempts and this is what I have got so far:
Edward Brueton ~1788
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/14076806/person/342265130165/factsThomas Brueton (The principle gun maker) ~1728
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/14076806/person/516184805/factsElijah Brueton ~1818
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/14076806/person/342359331970/factsHope it helps!
Aidan