Home >> Toys >> Dolls

How to Replace an Arm on a Johnny West Toy

Johnny West dolls, first produced in 1965, are highly sought after vintage collectibles. Like all vintage toys, age and wear can take a toll on working parts. Maintenance on a Johnny West doll will keep the doll in working order so its value will not decrease. Replacing an arm on Johnny West doll involves restringing the doll with a rubber band or wire loop and using standard Marx toy Johnny West parts.

Things You'll Need

Replacement Marx Johnny West arm
Marx Toy Company Arm Spring
Epoxy
Rubber band or 14-gauge wire, approximately 1-inch in diameter
Needle nose pliers
Wire cutters (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Place the doll on a table. You should have two arms and two arm springs lying beside the doll (or springs may be attached to the arm sockets already). According to Stewart's Attic, the molded plastic arm has a molded loop in a socket in the upper arm/shoulder. This is where the spring fits. The spring has a central spring with a hook on each end.
- 2
  Glue the spring into the socket with an epoxy if there is no loop. If there is a loop, hook the spring's hook through the loop and proceed to step 3. You may also need to snip, with wire cutters, the one hook away from the side of the spring being glued into the socket. Allow the epoxy to dry for 24-hours.
- 3
  Hook the end of a rubber band or a loop of wire around the spring protruding from the arm.
- 4
  Stick the replacement arm in the appropriate arm hole. Use needle nose pliers to reach through the opposite arm hole and grasp the rubber band or the wire loop. Stretch it through the chest cavity and out the arm hole.
- 5
  Slip the rubber band or wire loop over the spring hook protruding from the opposite arm. Release the arm into the socket. Both arms should snap into place.

Dolls