October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Maurice C. Foley was initially a supernumerary, or reserve, policeman in Hartford, Connecticut. He was later appointed as a full-time Hartford City policeman. He played on the Hartford Police Department's Baseball team, the undisputed championship team in the New England Police League. He also served as a Sergeant in the Hartford Light Guard in the Spanish-American War. This gun is factory engraved with a gold inlaid monogram of his initials. The gun is also inscribed on the backstrap "Presented to M.C. Foley by his friends April 12, 1901". The Colt factory archive letter states that this gun shipped as a .32 Colt with a 3 - 1/2" barrel, blue finish, and Pearl grips. It is factory inscribed on the backstrap "Presented to M.C. Foley by his friends April 12, 1901". It was shipped to H.C. Hallemer (This name was probably misspelled; the correct spelling is Hallauer), address unavailable, on April 2, 1901, in a shipment of 1 gun. In addition to the factory letter, note that the special order ledger details the gun in its entirety. It states, "March 25 1901 / 8247 / 1 3 1/2 in. 32/c New Pocket Rev. Blue, Pearl, Engr. / Engr. on Strap Presented to M.C. Foley by his friends April 12, 1901 / Monogram in gold M.C.F". The engraving is a scroll and foliate with a punch dot background. It has some other geometric designs incorporated into the engraving. In the reference book "The Book of Colt Firearms, Third Edition", R.L. Wilson states that there are fewer than 15 factory-engraved Colt New Pocket revolvers, and fewer than 10 were gold inlaid. The engraving, inscription, and gold inlaid monogram have been attributed to Helfricht. Also, note that the Rampant Colt Logo has been struck on the right side of the frame so Colt could put the gold inlaid monogram on the left side. It comes with the original numbered Colt box. The box has its original end label with 3 over labels. One says "ENGRAVED", one says, "BLUE PEARL", and the last one on top of the box says, "THE WITHIN REVOLVER IS NOT / ADAPTED FOR / SMOKELESS POWDER". The serial number, 16091, is written in pencil on the bottom of the box. It also comes with many research papers. CONDITION: Gun retains the vast majority of the factory blue finish. Most of the finish loss is to the grip straps and the right side of the barrel. The engraving is crisp and sharp. The gold inlay is in superb condition. Nitre blue trigger, screws, and back of the hammer show slight wear. Bore is great with sharp lands and grooves. Grips have no chips or cracks. The box remains in good to better shape with some edge wear. A very rare gold inlaid gun. PROVENANCE: Ex. Don Jones and Dick Burdick collections.
Paperwork
Factory Letter, Information