Introduced in the mid-60s by Marx Toys (Louis Marx & Co.), Johnny West and the Johnny West series of action figures were made of solid, hard, heavy plastic, meticulously sculpted and molded fully clothed, Fully articulated (earliest models, upper body only), the tallest about 12″ tall.

The series had quite a number of different characters, including wife Jane West (then kids Jay, Jamie, Josie and Janice), then more “historical” western characters in its spin-off Fort Apache Fighters series, including General Custer, Geronimo, Captain Maddox, Zeb Zachary, Fighting Eagle and Bill Buck. Each came with a full complement of flexible plastic accessories (hats, guns, swords, canteens, etc.); even more accessories were available for purchase (or provided in combo sets), including horses, a teepee, jeep, corral, etc., even a full-scale cardboard Fort Apache.

These guys were tough, rugged and seemingly indestructible. I had the General Custer and Geronimo and a friend had Johnny West, and now I shudder to think about what we put those three guys through. We tied them to makeshift parachutes assembled from our large Cub Scout neckerchiefs and tossed them from a 2nd floor balcony (didn’t work — too heavy and they dropped like rocks); we shot them with our Daisy BB rifles (no marks!); they even occasionally filled in as “bad guys” to our GI Joe “good guys” (and you know what kind of abuse bad guy toys are put through).

Once, I broke the rope on my mono-swing (round seat with a single rope going through the middle), so I had the bright idea of “testing” Custer’s excellent grip, sitting him spread-eagled on the seat and holding on to the rope for dear life. Then I swung him round my head, counting to see how many revolutions it would take before he’d fly off. I think the final record was 3. That was when Custer went crashing through our front window. You can bet my Mom made darn sure I would never do that particular stunt again. Me = red butt and wailing; Custer = not a mark!

Please, comment below and share your Johnny West action figure memories with the rest of us (or give any additional information on the product line).

Johnny West Action Figures @ eBay »