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Johnny Seven O.M.A.

Toy Gun
1964-1970 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This toy gun, the 'Johnny Seven O.M.A. (One Man Army)' was manufactured in England in the late 1960s by Deluxe-Topper Ltd, although this design was originally manufactured in the U.S.A. by Deluxe-Topper's parent company, Topper Toys. It is made from plastic and metal. It was first sold in the U.S.A. in 1964, and in the same year became the best-selling boy's toy. It was heavily marketed on television, and came in a very large, brightly-coloured box designed to catch a child's attention.

The gun was marketed as being 'seven guns in one', and had the capability to launch a grenade, an armour- piercing shell and anti-tank rocket. It had a retractable bi- pod, to convert the gun into a sniper rifle, as well as a repeating rifle action and a detachable pistol which could be loaded with small explosive caps which made a loud bang when fired. It could also convert into a Tommy gun (machine gun) with rat-a-tat sound effects and the possibility to remove the butt of the rifle to shorten the gun. There was nothing else on the market at the time with this range of gadgets, which made it particularly appealing. However, this product, along with similar toys, saw a down- turn in popularity as opposition to the Vietnam war increased in the U.S.A. and as the Peace movement in general, with it's questioning of war toys, also gained more popular support.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 18 parts.

  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
  • Toy Gun
TitleJohnny Seven O.M.A. (manufacturer's title)
Brief description
'Johnny Seven O.M.A. [One Man Army] Gun', plastic and metal, Deluxe-Topper Ltd, England, 1960s
Dimensions
  • Gun length: 89.6cm
  • Gun depth: 27.2cm
  • Gun height: 11.3cm
  • Anti bunker missile length: 18.0cm
  • Anti bunker missile diameter: 16cm
  • Grenade length: 12cm
  • Grenade diameter: 18.4cm
  • Armour piercing shell length: 14.2cm
  • Armour piercing shell diameter: 9.1cm
  • Anti tank rocket length: 18.5cm
  • Anti tank rocket diameter: 17.5cm
  • Bullet (x8) length: 3.0cm
  • Bullet (x8) diameter: 3.2cm
Production typeMass produced
Object history
The 'Johnny Seven O.M.A.' gun was first produced in the U.S.A. in 1964 by Topper Toys. The 'Seven' in the name refers to the fact that it was marketed as being seven guns in one, with the following features, all attached to the main gun assembly: the capability to launch a grenade, an armour-piercing shell and anti-tank rocket; a retractable bi-pod, to convert the gun into a sniper rifle; a repeating rifle action; a detachable pistol, into which caps can be loaded; and Tommy gun [machine gun] sound effects with the ability to remove the stock to shorten the gun. The gun was heavily marketed on television and was extremely popular, becoming the best-selling boys toy in 1964 in the U.S.A. Other 'Johnny Seven' accessories were also available, including an ammunition pack, helmet and walkie-talkies.

This object was purchased from the interet (e-bay) from Rob Iddon (seller's id. valerieinez0170) on 19 December 2011.

This product, along with similar toys, saw a down-turn in popularity as opposition to the Vietnam war increased and the Peace movement in general, with it's questioning of war toys, also gained more popular support.

Historical context
As with other toy guns, this object would have ben used by children (predominantly boys) playing at war. Since production of this item stopped, it has become a much sought-after collectors' item.
Production
The Johnny Seven O.M.A. Gun waas originally produced by Topper Toys in the U.S.A. This particular example was manufactured in England by Deluxe-Topper Ltd. (a subsidiary or sister company to Topper Toys).
Summary
This toy gun, the 'Johnny Seven O.M.A. (One Man Army)' was manufactured in England in the late 1960s by Deluxe-Topper Ltd, although this design was originally manufactured in the U.S.A. by Deluxe-Topper's parent company, Topper Toys. It is made from plastic and metal. It was first sold in the U.S.A. in 1964, and in the same year became the best-selling boy's toy. It was heavily marketed on television, and came in a very large, brightly-coloured box designed to catch a child's attention.

The gun was marketed as being 'seven guns in one', and had the capability to launch a grenade, an armour- piercing shell and anti-tank rocket. It had a retractable bi- pod, to convert the gun into a sniper rifle, as well as a repeating rifle action and a detachable pistol which could be loaded with small explosive caps which made a loud bang when fired. It could also convert into a Tommy gun (machine gun) with rat-a-tat sound effects and the possibility to remove the butt of the rifle to shorten the gun. There was nothing else on the market at the time with this range of gadgets, which made it particularly appealing. However, this product, along with similar toys, saw a down- turn in popularity as opposition to the Vietnam war increased in the U.S.A. and as the Peace movement in general, with it's questioning of war toys, also gained more popular support.
Collection
Accession number
B.259:1 to 15-2011

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Record createdJune 6, 2012
Record URL
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