Bidders ignored estimates at Quinn's estate auction of Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr's career mementos
General Alfred M Gray Jr.’s personal Colt Custom SAA revolver, .45 LC, engraved with gold USMC emblem and inscribed on barrel ‘SILVER STAR,’ ‘LEGION OF MERIT,’ ‘BRONZE STAR’ and ‘PURPLE HEART.’ Further personalized engraving. Provenance: Estate of 29th US Marine Corps Commandant Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr. (1928-2024). Sold for $10,160 against an estimate of $2,000-$4,000.
FALLS CHURCH, VA.—
If anyone exemplified the highest standards of the US Marine Corps, it was the late Alfred M Gray Jr (1928-2024). A highly-decorated four-star general and 29th Commandant of the Corps, Gray forged a distinguished 41-year military career that included courageous wartime duty in both Korea and Vietnam. On June 14, under instruction from the Gray estate, Quinn’s of northern Virginia auctioned the general’s treasured career mementos, firearms, awards and art objects in a boutique online sale that totaled $218,948.
The unique contents of the 200-lot event generated tremendous presale buzz and attracted winning bids that consistently exceeded their high estimates. Matthew Quinn, executive vice president of Quinn’s Auctions, remarked: “Because of the number of potential bidders who contacted us prior to the auction, we anticipated many of the lots were going fly. There were constant enquiries about General Gray’s USMC KA-BAR knives and the Henredon Chesterfield chaise lounge from his office. Like everything else in the sale, they went for far more than their pre-sale expectations.”
As it turned out, it was General Gray’s personal firearms and a one-of-a-kind ammunition crate that drew the highest bids on auction day, with his handsomely-embellished Colt .45 Custom SAA revolver landing at the top of prices realized. Engraved with a gold USMC emblem and inscribed on the barrel SILVER STAR, LEGION OF MERIT, BRONZE STAR and PURPLE HEART, the gun was further enhanced and personalized on both the top strap and back strap. Its grips were engraved on both sides – one showing a detailed portrait of the general and the other, the emblem of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. An exceptional firearm with visual provenance adorning literally all of its surfaces, it was bid to $10,160 against an estimate of $2,000-$4,000.
Another Colt .45, a Mk IV Series 80 Gold Cup National Match semi-automatic pistol, was inscribed GENERAL AL GRAY / COMMANDANT USMC and marked with Serial Number 28648. Its felt-lined wood presentation box was an impressive sight, topped with a plaque bearing USMC and FBI emblems and the dedication “Presented to/ General Al Gray/ Commandant, USMC/ by/ FBI Marine Corps Association/ Semper Fi/ 1 November 1990.” Together with an 8-round magazine, tools and paperwork, it defied its $2,000-$4,000 estimate and sold for $8,890.
Wood ammunition crate with presentation plaque from ‘Marines & Sailors, Marine Corps Combat Development Command’ to ‘General Alfred M. Gray Jr., USMC Ret’ to commemorate Marine Corps’ 234th birthday. Marine Corps imagery, emblems and the motto ‘SEMPER FIDELIS.’ Provenance: Estate of 29th US Marine Corps Commandant Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr. (1928-2024). Sold for $9,525 against an estimate of $100-$150
As aesthetically appealing as it was rugged, a wood ammunition crate decorated with Marine Corps images, emblems and the motto “SEMPER FIDELIS,” displayed an inscribed plaque on its lid that said Presented by the Marines & Sailors of Marine Corps Combat Development Command with respect and admiration to General Alfred M. Gray Jr USMC on the occasion of the 234th birthday of our Corps. Against an estimate of $100-$150, it stormed its way to $9,525.
Bow and arrow presented to General Alfred M. Gray Jr. by Lieutenant General Choi Kap-Jin, Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. Provenance: Estate of 29th US Marine Corps Commandant Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr. (1928-2024). Sold for $3,810 against an estimate of $20-$40
Although not designed for modern warfare, a bow and arrow – possibly an antique – was also of great interest to bidders. Attractively mounted and framed, the duo had been presented to General Gray by his Korean counterpart, Lieutenant General Choi Kap-Jin, Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, and was labeled as such. The lot flew up the ranks to $3,810 against a modest estimate of $20-$40.
10K yellow gold United States Marine Corps ring with oval cabochon faux-ruby. Provenance: Estate of 29th US Marine Corps Commandant Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr. (1928-2024). Sold for $4,127 against an estimate of $100-$150
USMC jewelry was another popular auction category. The general’s personal timekeeper was an 18K yellow gold Baume & Mercier automatic strap watch with a 40.0mm case and antique white dial with gilt markers, numerals and hands. It was back-stamped CLIFTON, BAUME & MERCIER, GENEVE 1830, 65719 SWISS 50M, BMG Au750 on its skeleton case and Swiss 25 Jewels, BM11300 on its automatic movement. An embossed Marine Corps Standard could be seen at the 9 o’clock position. With pre-sale expectations of reaching $800-$1,000, it ticked quite precisely to a winning bid of $4,127. A 17-jewel 14K yellow gold Hamilton manual-wind watch with an inscription commemorating Gray’s receipt of the “JOHN PAUL JONES AWARD FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP,” was not far behind, earning $3,625. Also, General Gray’s 10K yellow gold US Marine Corps ring, set with an oval cabochon faux-ruby, was pursued to $4,127 against an estimate of $100-$150.
Oak campaign desk with removable lift-up top, metal plaque engraved with three silver stars above the phrase ‘A.M. GRAY JR / WARRIOR, USMC.’ Provenance: Estate of 29th US Marine Corps Commandant Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr. (1928-2024). Sold for $4,127 against an estimate of $100-$200
An oak campaign desk with a removable lift-up top bore a metal plaque engraved with three silver stars above the phrase “A.M. GRAY JR / WARRIOR, USMC.” It closed at $4,127, more than 20 times its high estimate. The aforementioned Henredon Chesterfield chaise lounge of button-tufted black leather with a mahogany wood frame and two side drawers added an elegant touch to the general’s study. The stylish 1980s production more than doubled its high estimate at $1,750.
Three commemorative boating paddles presented to General Alfred M. Gray Jr., from ‘The Men of the Marine Combatant Diving Course,’ in 1991; the ‘U.S.M.C. Recruiting Station Harrisburg, PA (at the) Birthday Ball 2002;’ and the ‘U.S.M.C. Force Reconnaissance,’ in 1991. Provenance: Estate of 29th US Marine Corps Commandant Four-Star General Alfred M. Gray Jr. (1928-2024). Sold for $3,556 against an estimate of $60-$80
The collection also included a group of three commemorative boating paddles presented to General Gray from “The Men of the Marine Combatant Diving Course,” in 1991; the “U.S.M.C. Recruiting Station Harrisburg, PA (at the) Birthday Ball 2002;” and the “U.S.M.C. Force Reconnaissance,” in 1991. Estimated at $60-$80, the artfully-decorated trio sold for $3,556.
After the auction, Matthew Quinn commented: “It was a great honor for Quinn’s to have been chosen to auction General Gray’s personal property, career memorabilia and awards. General Gray will always be a legendary figure. He earned his reputation as a ‘Marine’s Marine’ in battle, volunteering to serve in the Korean War and, later, receiving a Purple Heart and many other high honors, including a Silver Star for Heroism in Vietnam. It is a tribute to the general that so many people were interested in his career mementos and chose to bid in our auction.”
To discuss consigning to a future auction at Quinn’s, call Corrie Brady at 703-532-5632, ext 572; or email corrie.brady@quinnsauction.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign.
