My Johnny Seven

In 1964 the biggest selling boy's toy in the USA was the Johnny Seven. It was a big gun that had seven functions. It appeared in the UK a couple of years later. I desperately wanted one and this was the conversation between me and my parents about "Johnny Seven."

“But dad, it’s a one man army!”

“I don't care what it is. You're not having one.”

“It does loads of things dad.”

“I don’t care what it does, the answers still no.”

“But dad, it shoots missiles and grenades.”

“No, you’ll have someone’s eye out.”

“It’s got a machine gun and a pistol.”

“No.I've told you it's too much money. We can't afford it.

"It fires anti - tank missiles and rockets.”

“You’ll end up killing your sister. No.”

Then mum came in. She looked at dad.

“What’s he on about.”

“A big gun or something that he wants for Christmas.”

“How much is it?”

“Five quid.”

“It’s too expensive.”

“That’s what I told him.”

“But mum it does load of things.”

“No, it's too much money.”

"It fires bullets and everything."

"You'll have someone's eye out."

"It's got a grenade launcher."

"No, it'll end up in next doors garden."

“It’s seven toy’s all in one. It’s a one man army!”

“What’s it called, this gun?”

“Johnny Seven.”

“Old Petes got one of those on his stall down Blakes Market.”

Dad looked up at Mum.

“How much?"

“I think he wanted three quid.”

All three of us looked at each other. Dad got up from his chair and smiled at me.

“Get your coat”

And that's how I got the best "second hand" Johnny Seven ever. the best boy toy ever made.