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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Handguns

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EDELWEISS
.375 member


Reged: 22/11/05
Posts: 604
Loc: Gettysburg
Want something special--How'bout a Fitz?
      #352838 - 29/04/21 10:55 AM

Since you guys didnt like my idea of a Sheriff's Model for a big bore carry gun, how'bout a Fitz special? Back in the 20s (errr 1920s) a young Colt employee named John Henry Fitzgerald did something pretty remarkable for concealed carry big bore revolvers. He took a Colt New Service, which by anyones view is a LARGE gun and turned it into something that could be pocket carried. OK pockets in those days were larger than todays skinny jeans.

Ole Fitz chopped the 6" barrel down to two inches and bobbed the hammer; but perhaps most dramatic, he cut off the front of the trigger guard, leaving just enough to reach out under the trigger. This made access to the trigger faster with and without gloves. He also rounded the butt of the grip. Ultimately the gun could be pocket carried without fear of snagging during the draw.

By todays standard no company lawyer would allow an open triggerguard BUT real warriors like Charles Askins and Rex Applegate carried them. If thats not enough so did Clyde Barrow and Charles Lindbergh. Still not enough, ask Tom Selleck's character from "Blue Bloods", who carries the gun that was passed down through the family from grandfather, to father, to him. Need another reaso to like the idea, well then the Fitz guns lead Colt to produce the Detective Special...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FitzGerald_Special#/media/File:Fitzspecial.jpg

Im lucky enough to have a gunsmith made version. Sadly mine was damaged beyond repair in a fire.

--------------------
If it's not custom, it's just borrowed


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vykkagur
.300 member


Reged: 28/11/19
Posts: 223
Loc: Canada
Re: Want something special--How'bout a Fitz? [Re: EDELWEISS]
      #352884 - 30/04/21 04:38 AM

Quote:

Since you guys didnt like my idea of a Sheriff's Model for a big bore carry gun, how'bout a Fitz special? Back in the 20s (errr 1920s) a young Colt employee named John Henry Fitzgerald did something pretty remarkable for concealed carry big bore revolvers. He took a Colt New Service, which by anyones view is a LARGE gun and turned it into something that could be pocket carried. OK pockets in those days were larger than todays skinny jeans.

Ole Fitz chopped the 6" barrel down to two inches and bobbed the hammer; but perhaps most dramatic, he cut off the front of the trigger guard, leaving just enough to reach out under the trigger. This made access to the trigger faster with and without gloves. He also rounded the butt of the grip. Ultimately the gun could be pocket carried without fear of snagging during the draw.

By todays standard no company lawyer would allow an open triggerguard BUT real warriors like Charles Askins and Rex Applegate carried them. If thats not enough so did Clyde Barrow and Charles Lindbergh. Still not enough, ask Tom Selleck's character from "Blue Bloods", who carries the gun that was passed down through the family from grandfather, to father, to him. Need another reaso to like the idea, well then the Fitz guns lead Colt to produce the Detective Special...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FitzGerald_Special#/media/File:Fitzspecial.jpg

Im lucky enough to have a gunsmith made version. Sadly mine was damaged beyond repair in a fire.





Here you go: https://revivaler.com/webley-scott-mk-vi-snub-nose-revolver-45-acp/




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Checkman
.333 member


Reged: 15/03/08
Posts: 256
Loc: Idaho
Re: Want something special--How'bout a Fitz? [Re: vykkagur]
      #353245 - 09/05/21 03:05 PM

The Fitz Special is very cool isn't it. But I'm a product of my time and I prefer the trigger guard be left intact. Rounding sharp edges and bobbing the hammer ,however, were very good ideas that have survived to this day.

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Want something special--How'bout a Fitz? [Re: Checkman]
      #353280 - 10/05/21 03:25 AM

S&W "J" frames come to mind.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Checkman
.333 member


Reged: 15/03/08
Posts: 256
Loc: Idaho
Re: Want something special--How'bout a Fitz? [Re: DarylS]
      #353294 - 10/05/21 05:08 PM

Like the S&W Model 49 Bodyguard.

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Want something special--How'bout a Fitz? [Re: Checkman]
      #353307 - 11/05/21 03:00 AM

Some of them were not too bad, back in the 70's. The odd one key-holed 158gr. RN's that were issued to us.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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