Next month begins the first of several auctions of the late R. Lee Ermey‘s firearms and memorabilia collection. Proceeds, in part, will go the the Young Marines charity. And if you’ve never had a chance to look in the Gunny’s safe to see his guns, the sale provides an interesting glimpse into his personal collection.
The marine-turned-actor-actor rose to prominence with his exceptional performance in the movie Full Metal Jacket. Even after achieving fame, he remained a really nice guy who became a regular feature at places like Knob Creek Machinegun shoots, NRA Conventions, and the SHOT Show.
According to Wiki, Ermey enlisted in the Marines in 1961 at age 17. Eventually, he became a drill instructor serving at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Later he dabbled in Hollywood, catching not only an acting role in Apocalypse Now (as a helicopter pilot), but also serving as a technical advisor to Director Francis Ford Coppola.
His big break came in 1987 when Stanley Kubrick hired him as a technical advisor for Full Metal Jacket. Pretty soon, Kubrick liked watching Ermey coach the casted actor with such authenticity that he ditched the thespian and gave the role to Ermey himself who knocked it out of the park.
Then in 2002, after using his larger-than-life persona from the Full Metal Jacket portrayal in part to enthusiastically promote his beloved US Marine Corps, Ermey received an honorary promotion to gunnery sergeant (to match his rank in Full Metal Jacket) by none other than the Commandant of the Marine Corps at the time, General James Jones.
He hosted the Mail Call show on The History Channel in 2002 and that lasted for seven years. Here is a tribute to the legend of a man. (NSFW)
Given his affinity for hanging with gun owners (even if it was at the behest of sponsors), Ermey own more than a few firearms himself.
In a series of six sales, under the title of “R. Lee Ermey Auctions 2,” a whole slew of guns from black powder to modern firearms are going on the block. They are available for us to peruse here.
The first listing for the sale that starts November 6th is an M1D Garand sniper rifle from Springfield Armory, obtained through the CMP. How fitting.
It just gets better from there.