J. Gray's Estate Firearm Services

06/03/2026

Original box, original papers, and a label marked "Custom Tuned," it's a happy with this 1978 C**t Python .357 Magnum. Known for incredible feel, craftsmanship, and legendary action, this well-preserved 50-year-old beauty apparently got some extra love from the C**t Custom Shop. According to C**t, this typically involved hand-polishing internal lockwork and tightening tolerances to produce an exceptionally smooth double-action pull and a crisp, light single-action break. Sure feels like it to us. Do you know more or have experience with C**t's Custom Tuned designation revolvers?
It’s not every day you get to handle a piece of fi****ms history like this-- unless you get to be us.
**tPython **t **tPython357

05/15/2026

Wilson Combat EDC X9 paired with its original factory test target and QC checklist.

One of the details that always stands out with Wilson Combat pistols is the amount of hand-fitting and inspection that goes into each gun before it leaves the shop. The included test target and signed quality checklist are a reminder that these weren’t built on an assembly line — they were built, checked, and tested by experienced pistolsmiths.

The EDC X9 has earned a reputation for blending 1911 ergonomics with modern carry practicality, and it’s easy to see why once one is in hand. Tight fit, exceptional trigger, and attention to detail throughout.

A good example of modern American pistol craftsmanship.

Disclaimer: Firearm shown for educational, historical, and collector interest purposes only. This post is not an advertisement for sale and no transaction is being conducted through this platform. All applicable federal, state, and local laws apply.

#1911

05/13/2026

Civil War Edition

Two revolvers tied to the American Civil War — one American made, one imported from Belgium.

The Starr Model 1858 Double-Action Army Revolver was issued to Union forces and represented one of the more advanced military handguns of its era. Alongside it is a Belgian-made Perrin Breveté revolver from Liège, with approximately 500 purchased by the Union Army during the Civil War.

The Perrin’s 11mm cartridge was also an early centerfire design, representing an important step forward in fi****ms development during the mid-19th century.

Two very different revolvers connected by one defining period in history.

05/12/2026

05/11/2026

Check out what showed up at this morning — a 1972 R***r Blackhawk “3-Screw” chambered in .30 Carbine with a 7.5” barrel, complete with a set of vintage stag grips.

One of the more unique offerings from R***r’s early Blackhawk lineup, the .30 Carbine version combines classic Old Model styling with a caliber more commonly associated with the M1 Carbine. Loud, fast, and unmistakable at the range.

This example features the desirable three-screw configuration produced before R***r transitioned to the New Model action system in 1973. The vintage stag grips pair perfectly with the Old West styling and give the revolver an even stronger period look and feel.

These old Blackhawks continue to gain appreciation among collectors and shooters alike for their rugged construction, versatility, and unmistakable character.

Always fun when something a little different walks through the door at JGray’s Estate Firearm Services.

05/10/2026

Married for 50 years to fellow competitive shooter Frank Butler (whom she met at age 15 when she bested him in a contest), Annie Oakley was a career woman who never had children, but she is widely recognized as the "mother of" and inspiration for women’s shooting sports worldwide. Happy Mother’s Day to all fi****ms-toting Moms, traditional and otherwise. We appreciate you! ****mshistory

05/06/2026

Pacific War Bring-Back Group

Type 38 Arisaka rifle, Type 30 bayonet, Type 90 helmet, Japanese sword, and an Imperial Japanese Army Type 4 communications control box dated November 1943.

The communications box still retains its original markings, schematic panel, manuals, and cloth storage bag — uncommon survivors for wartime field equipment. The rest of the group shows the honest wear and age you’d expect from Pacific Theater items that stayed together for decades.

Some interesting history in one group.

05/05/2026

Some collections tell a story—this one preserves a legacy.

At JGray’s Estate Firearm Services, we’re often trusted with collections that reflect a lifetime of passion, research, and intention. This seven-piece pocket pistol collection is a strong example of that—thoughtfully assembled to represent firearm types connected to pivotal moments in American and world history.

Each piece is a representative example of a known model—not a documented artifact—but together they form a cohesive timeline of design, innovation, and historical context. It’s not just about the individual fi****ms—it’s about how they relate to one another and the story they tell as a group.

Included in the collection:

• Philadelphia Derringer pattern pistol — representative of the type associated with John Wilkes Booth (1865)
• Liege-manufactured British Bulldog revolver — representative of the type associated with Charles J. Guiteau (1881)
• Iver Johnson Model 1887 — representative of the type associated with Leon Czolgosz (1901)
• FN Model 1910 — John Browning-designed pistol associated with Gavrilo Princip (1914)
• C**t Cobra — representative of the type associated with Jack Ruby (1963)
• Iver Johnson Cadet Model 55-S — representative of the type associated with Sirhan Sirhan (1968)
• RG Model 14 — representative of the type associated with John Hinckley Jr. (1981)

Presented in chronological order, the collection traces the evolution of compact fi****ms—from early single-shot designs to modern concealed carry platforms—while tying into the broader historical moments they’re often associated with.

Collections like this don’t happen by accident. They’re built over time, shaped by interest, knowledge, and a desire to preserve history in a tangible way. Whether it’s a carefully curated theme or a lifetime accumulation, every collection carries a legacy.

Our role is to help document, protect, and guide that legacy—whether through appraisal, estate planning, or bringing the collection to market in a thoughtful and compliant way.

05/04/2026

PETTENGILL MODEL 1856 ARMY REVOLVER 🇺🇸

A scarce and often overlooked piece of Civil War innovation—the Pettengill Model 1856 Army in .44 caliber.

This example features a ~7.5” octagonal barrel and matching serial #3445 across major components. What sets the Pettengill apart is its double-action only system—no external hammer spur—making it one of the more mechanically advanced (and unconventional) revolvers of the era.

Produced during the Civil War by C.S. Pettengill, with only an estimated 3,000–3,500 Army models made, these don’t show up often—especially in matching, honest condition.

This one checks the boxes:
• U.S. martial inspected (“M.M.” mark)
• Matching numbers throughout
• Smooth, even patina with service wear
• Mechanically solid, functional action

A unique sidearm that reflects a moment when fi****ms design was rapidly evolving under wartime pressure.

Not your standard C**t or Remington—and that’s exactly the appeal.

USHistory