What happened here?

[jmelcock]

What was this clown thinking? I know it's not a Ruger, but could this be salvaged? I need a good laugh and I know I will get one posting these pics!

 

[flhr62]

Guess someone was getting into quickdraw.

 

[WrenNH]

Very professional looking work.

 

[bigbore45colt]

Looks like someone's attempt at a Fitz special. Not uncommon for guns from that period. Those Fitz specials got a good bit of press at that time.

BB45C

 

[jmelcock]

Could the trigger guard be fixed? If so... I think I could get this for around $100.00. If not I won't touch it.

 

[DGW1949]

Me thinks that with the cost of repairs, parts, and a refinish these days, even $100 would be a stretch. A decent Model 10-HB can be had for much less than the cost of fixing that one.

What a waste of a nice six-gun. Well, at least he didn't Magna Port it. That, and it does have some purty grips.

DGW

 

[jmelcock]

True. How about just a weld, and use it as a truck gun? This one a little frightening though. It is a shame!

 

[44shootist]

Cutting trigger gaurds like that was common for old west gun fighters, but is very strange on a gun like that.
Guess what you got here is a fastdraw secuity gaurd specail so if you buy a gun like this you must remember to carry your one bullet in you shirt pocket.

 

[BigJ71]

Looks like someone's attempt at a Fitz special. BB45C

I agree.

Even at $100.00 the added cost to repair may end up making this gun more than purchasing a complete "non altered" example.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

What was this clown thinking?

This comment should be removed as it's degrading to clowns.

 

[M'BOGO]

At least it's not being sold as an overpriced custom?

 

[tek4260]

For $100 I'd have to jump. I know where there are several Smiths on display that have been rolled by the guberment. The trigger guards are fine...... A bit of welding, a hammer, and a bake on finish.........

 

[jmelcock]

I'm not really even worried about how the finish looks. as long as it functions correctly.

 

[Mtmtnmn]

A few more cuts here and there would make a neat derringer.

 

[Dobetown]

That mod is even in Bill Jordons book.

 

[twobisquit]

Here is a link to a discussion about the Fitz modification. It sounds like some respectable gunners carried them for good reason. I would jump on that old Smith for $100.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-500231.html

 

[Tom Richardson]

I would be all over that revolver for $100.00.
The first Fitz gun of that type were modified as tools to do a job.
In the hands of a craftsman they were very effective.

Just because you don't like a particular modification there is no reason to demean or belittle the object, or person who had it done to their own revolver.

What kind of clowns would jump on that bandwagon?

 

[Major T]

When I started my trooper career ('59,) Texas in it's infinite wisdom sent me to El Paso. We used to see a few of these in shops and on some of the veteran officers. Fitz Specials as mentioned. This one hardly qualifies as most were modified large frame Smiths and even a few large Colts. Most of them were in substantial calibers, such as .44 Special,.44-40, .45 colt, .45ACP. The latter being most popular because of low prices for WWI surplus items and Fort Bliss being local. Most were done a little smoother than the pictured example. The front of the trigger guard would be fairly flush with the frame, the hammer spur usually removed all the way, barrels shortened to 3" (+/-) and a good double action job, Many had custom grips and reshaped frames. Jordan would assuredly have been familiar with this modification, and may have had one. (His hands were almost twice the size of mine. I wear a large glove in most brands, XL in a few.) Remember, these were mostly made before there were any snub noses in powerful calibers as today. The open trigger access was thought to aid in a faster first shot. Another example of making do with what is available. Good day, Jack

 

[41manor44]

It seems to me I read years ago that a famous lawman by the name of Tom Threepersons had the front of the trigger guard cut away so he could get to the trigger quicker. Maybe this is where this person got this idea.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

John FitzGerald was a Colt employee from around 1918 to around 1944. He was a competition and combat shooter and developed what became known as the Fitz Special or Fitz Colt. The first pistol he treated this way was a Colt Police Postitive. He shortened the existing four inch barrel to two inches, bobbed the hammer, cut off the front portion of the trigger guard, and rounded the butt.

Fitz Specials became pretty common amongst combat shooters and law enforcement officers of the day. Both large frame and small frame revolvers were modified, with the same treatment as the first Police Positive.

Here are a few photos of some Fitz Specials done by FitzGerald and others. Two Colts and a Smith.

 

[Major T]

As my post describes, these are more like it! Thanks, Jack

 

[jmelcock]

Thanks for the info! I'm not trying to demean any person or project. Just curious. I did get a couple good laughs, but I don't think it was at the expense of any person. and...now I know. Thanks again

 

[resident]

I think anyone in such-a-hurry to get the trigger pulled they dispense with the guard is being hasty, by today's standards. Regardless of the logic-promoted for hacking up the guards it was a poor idea and hasn't popularized for reasons. I think the primary reason (unexpounded) was to reduce weight/size of the thing in a period when effective calibers came only in large guns.
I'd only buy one for parts.

 

[TiteGroups]

Only reason to buy is if you have the skills to repair it, would be like buying a wrecked car, cheap ain't worth it.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Just as a hypothetical, I have to wonder what kind of reaction you'd get from law enforcement and/or the courts if you shot somebody with a Fitz Special. I know that choice of weapon shouldn't make your decision less legitimate, but I wouldn't want to take a chance.

 

[Major T]

With no disrespect to anyone, T035, politically correct wasn't an issue in the 20s-40s when most of the Fitz Specials were fabricated. Social politeness began in the 60s with bra burning, coming out of the closet, integration and later the equal rights amendment. Prior to these events, society only asked, "Did the deceased need killing?" How and with what later became an issue as we developed more sensitivity. As a nineties example, my agency abandoned the Sig P220 loaded with the 200 grain "flying ash can" because we were killing too many people. We went to the .357Sig, which I am told stops the fights just as quickly, but is less lethal. ( I retired not long after the switch and do not have the stats.) Anyway, once upon a time long ago, your concern just did not matter. Things change. Good day, Jack

 

[Colonel Daddy]

For $100, I'd be on that like white on rice! They were hot back in the day!
Haven't seen them for $100 in a long time!