From legendary pistol inventors to authors of some of the books on collector's shelves and other noted high-profile members of the greater firearms community, here is a look back at those lost to our community in 2023.
John Joseph "J.J." Bittenbinder – Well-dressed and luxuriously mustachioed retired homicide detective who hosted the 1990s crime series "Tough Target" and "Street Smarts," whose tough-talking and colorful descriptions of criminals sparked such salutes as F. F. Woodycooks. Passed in May, age 81.
Chris Curtis Author of works such as "The Pinfire System" and "Systeme Lefaucheux," Curtis was a historian for the study of Pinfire firearms.
David Drake – Army veteran and military science fiction author who penned the "Hammer's Slammers" series, among others. Passed age 78.
James L. Easton – Founder of the Easton sporting goods company which has made everything from ice hockey sticks, baseball bats, and arrow shafts used at the Olympic Games and worldwide. Passed in December at age 88.
Steve Erwin – Comic book artist best known as the co-creator of "Checkmate" and "Gunfire" for DC Comics in the 1980s and 1990s. He passed in October, aged 63.
Frederic Forrest – Army vet and actor who is remembered for his unforgettable roles as Jay "Chef" Hicks in "Apocalypse Now," Blue Duck in "Lonesome Dove," Nick in "Falling Down," and Jenko in the original "21 Jump Street" franchise, passed in June, aged 86.
Gaston Glock – Leaving behind a legacy of five generations of polymer-framed striker-fired pistols that carried his name, Herr Gaston Glock died in December, aged 94.
Philip Hemphill – Two-time NRA Precision Pistol Champion and holder of 10 National Police Pistol Championship titles, the gregarious Hemphill was a legend on the circuit for decades. A retired Mississippi State Trooper, he passed in October, aged 71.
John Linebaugh – The revolver legend and Wyoming staple who gave the world the .500 and .475 Linebaugh hung up his revolvers for the final time in March at the age of 67.
David McCallum – Scottish actor whose agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." has helped keep the Walther P-38 in demand for generations. His instrumental music also contributed to one of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s biggest hits. He passed away in December, aged 90.
Tiger McKee – Noted trainer, Thunder Ranch staple, and firearms writer who penned a regular column in <"American Handgunner" and was the author of "The Book of Two Guns," McKee passed in April.
Giuliano Montaldo – Italian filmmaker who directed such classic high-octane 1960s heist and crime films as "Machine Gun McCain," "The Reckless," and "Grand Slam." Passed in September, aged 93.
Thomas B. Nelson – An Army veteran who became a noted firearms historian and author of books that remain reference material today, Nelson was also involved in a number of surplus gun companies including Interarco, later Interarms, and founded the Collector’s Armory.
Weston Ochse – U.S. Army veteran and military science fiction author who penned the "SEAL Team 666" series, among others. He passed away in November, aged 58.
J. Michael Plaxco – Noted hunter, joke teller, and marksman who was a long-time competitive shooter for Safariland and Smith & Wesson. Coined the oft-quoted seven-point Plaxco's Shooting Principals. He passed away in May, aged 70.
Richard Roundtree – The action film actor renowned for the 1970s "Shaft" franchise passed in October, aged 79.
Louise Shockey – Renowned hunting personality and outdoors figure who was often seen alongside her husband, sportsman Jim Shockey, she passed in September after a battle with cancer.
Banner photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com.
