Page 154 - 4095-BOOK1

LOT 137
Outstanding, Well-Documented Harold D. Corey
Gold Inlaid/Inscribed Colt New Police Double Action Revolver with Ivory
Grips, Presentation Case, and Factory Letter Pictured in “Colt Engraving” by
R.L. Wilson - Serial no. 15756, 32 Colt N.P. cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, ivory grips.
Manufactured in 1902, this is an outstanding example of a Colt New Police revolver with
an exceptionally scarce, factory gold inlaid inscription on the back strap. As Wilson states in
“The Colt Engraving Book”, a gun with “factory gold inlay represents the ultimate in rarity and
desirability on Colt firearms”. This specific revolver is pictured on p. 336 of “Colt Engraving”
by R.L. Wilson in the chapter covering Cuno A. Helfricht and his shop. The included factory
letter for this revolver lists it in .32 caliber with a 4 inch barrel, blue finish, ivory grips, and the
gold inscription on the back strap when the revolver was shipped to Frank A. Schirmer on 17 July
1902 as a single gun order. Renowned Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson notes on p. 374 of “The
Book of Colt Firearms” that out of the total production of New Police revolvers, only approximately
25 were engraved, 30 were inscribed, and only around three of those were inscribed in gold, with
this example being one of them. The back strap is inlaid in gold with block letters spelling out
“HAROLD D. COREY”, work that has been attributed to Cuno Helfricht, who was at the head of Colt’s
engraving shop at the time. The top of the barrel is marked with the three line address and patent
dates, while the model and caliber marking are on the left of the barrel. The left of the frame is
marked with the Rampant Colt and the model marking. The matching serial number is marked on
the frame, crane, and hand marked in pencil inside both grip panels. It is fitted with the standard
blade front and frame-top groove rear sights, as well as a beautiful pair of factory original, smooth
ivory grips. The Frank A. Schirmer mentioned in the factory letter was a wealthy New York and
Boston investor, whose firm is noted as being one of the main investors that bought out Mrs. Colt’s
stake in the company in 1901. He later became the long time Treasurer of Colt’s Patent Firearms
Co., holding that position at the time this revolver was shipped. In a period directory of Newton,
Massachusetts, Schirmer is listed as having a residence on Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill,
as well as listing the plethora of clubs he was a part of, including “Automobile Club”. In the same
directory, Harold D. Corey is listed as having a residence on Farlow Road, Newton, which appears
to have been potentially only a distance of 4 to 5 miles away from where Schirmer’s residence
was. Both residences are pictured in “Beautiful Newton the Garden City of Massachusetts” by J.C.
Brimblecom. In directories for the City of Boston as early as 1890, Corey is listed as a broker and
investor and certainly may have had dealings with Schirmer. Period newspapers indicate in multiple
articles Corey’s affinity for automobiles, with one article citing a $10 fine for Corey for speeding at
“a rate of nearly 35 miles an hour”, while another from 1907 mentions him on an automobile tour
of Europe in his Packard, returning with an “Itala car”, which he claimed to be the finest in Europe.
Given the close proximity of these two men, similar occupations and social status, and shared
interest in automobiles, it is highly likely that they were friends or at the very least acquaintances,
making it highly likely that this revolver was a
gift from Schirmer to Corey. Included with
the revolver is a leather wrapped case
lined with purple velvet and fitted for the
revolver with a compartment containing a
box of .32 New Police cartridges as well as
another box of .32 New Police cartridges,
both by Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
and both appearing to contain their full
compliment of cartridges. Also includes
an original hanging tag for the revolver
and various documents pertaining to the
two men.
152