John Miller, the real deal in small arms. (Photo provided by the Miller family)
September 09, 2025
By David M. Fortier, Executive Editor
It was with great sadness we learned of the passing of John M. Miller of Marietta, Ohio who passed away on August 23, 2025. While the name may not be familiar to many, John was an icon among small arms historians, “Class 3” collectors, designers, and shooters. A genuinely kind person, he shared his extensive knowledge freely with all. His passing is a true loss for the entire firearms community.
What made John special? As stated, he was a genuinely kind person; unlike many you meet today in the firearms and defense industries. In a world awash with Type A personalities, egos, users, has-beens, and never-beens, John stood out like a breath of fresh air. He had an incredible knowledge of US and foreign small arms and ammunition and understood them from not only a historical standpoint, but manufacturing and that of an end-user as well. He was someone many authors, including the late Peter G. Kokalis, would go to for insights, technical and historical data, and wisdom to use in their articles. He was a subscriber to Firearms News, as well as to our original publication, Shotgun News, which he read since high school. He was also a valued advisor to Firearms News, on occasion, during recent years.
John Miller at a machine gun shoot working on a Browning M1919 machinegun. (Photo provided by the Miller family) A man of commitment to his country and community, John served 32 years in the United States Army. He retired as Chief Warrant Officer 2. As a small arms repair technician, John served two tours in Vietnam. During his time overseas, he ran two shops maintaining military weapons: one in Vungtau and one in Saigon. He also discovered a love of spicy cuisine and became so tolerant of the intense jungle heat that it never quite left him.
For 50 years, John worked as a Special Deputy for the Washington County, Ohio Sheriff's Office. He was a founding member of the Special Response Team. He was always active and ready to examine any strange relic found throughout the area. John was an expert marksman, serving as a member of the Fort Harmar Rifle Club. He was a member of IDPA, OGCA, NRA, and won many national matches.
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John was very detailed and technical when giving information about the development of weapons systems and history. He was also a humorist and the wittiest man around. His ability to know exactly when to tell a story was an art, as was his skill as a cartoonist. If one received a card with a hand drawn cartoon from John, you knew you had a treasure. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joyce E. Smith Miller and his sons John P.R. Miller and William G.R. Miller, as well as his grandchildren Miles, Ely, and granddaughter Zoey.
Small arms work will continue through Miller Brothers Munitions, and a limited number of pieces from his museum-quality collection may become available to discerning collectors in the coming months. A multi-part series detailing John’s work in the area of small arms is planned for Firearms News in 2026.
