What custom gunsmith smith used "1*" on his work?

[mes228]

I can't for the life of me remember the custom gunsmith that used to mark his carry guns for "Operators" with the symbol "1*" meaning "one (butt) to risk". Thanks for aiding and old feeble mind.

 

[HM2PAC]

Gary Paul Johnston.

He wasn't a gunsmith though.

 

[9mmepiphany]

He came up with the symbol and had it applied to his work guns...he was a LEO and a gun writer. I don't know if he had it registered as a trade mark

 

[CraigC]

Gary Reeder.

 

[esheato]

Didn't Ted Yost do it also?

 

[armoredman]

It's the official logo of an AZ DOC tactical team. One admin swore another one copyrighted it, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[aryfrosty]

1* markings

I won't get into who did it or who did it first, although I do still see it on Tactical gear websites..

It says, You have only 1 butt to risk. Idea being, "Don't buy second rate gear.":banghead:

 

[Monkey_King]

I remember reading an article about that many years ago, but I can't remember where. It was my understanding that that symbol represented those who go into harm's way for the greater good. That thing about second rate gear, was that your take on it or was that the real motivation behind that motto?

 

[Skylerbone]

An interesting marking none the less and no less appropriate if indeed used in the manner the OP described.

 

[jakk280rem]

i know yost-bonitz used it on their customs before they split. that was about 5 years or so ago.

 

[Doc1911]

Yost

 

[Harold Mayo]

I actually think that it may have been on some Novak guns before anyone else used it.

 

[conrad carter]

The first article on this was in American Handgunner, I believe.

 

[CraigC]

Somebody probably should've copyrighted it. Would be interesting to know who actually came up with it orginally. Reeder claims it as his in 1995.

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/1911/oneasterisk.htm

 

[9mmepiphany]

The meaning of the symbol given on Reeder's site isn't the original, maybe his claim refers to the new meaning...1995 is way too late.

Just a quick look in LE forums turns up that it was designed in 1987 by Gary Paul Johnson, which is what my recollection is too.

1* was designed by the Lt. Gary Paul Johnson of the Shaker Heights Ohio
Police dept. It was used as a fund raser for their swat team. Lt Johnson, now retired, has all rights to the emblem.

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?27851-1*