I'll give that python command a go at lunch time.

This was the command I used in Debian to get JtR:
git clone -b bleeding-jumbo git://github.com/magnumripper/JohnTheRipper JohnTheRipper

I have multiple copies of the wallet.dat. All are recent as I didn't want to mess with the original file other attempting to unlock it. What I don't have is an older version sitting around (wish I did).