is this an abused colt?
- Thread starter Dimis
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Looks like a chopped GI 1917 to me.
http://www.pbyrescue.com/weapons/m1917/m1917.htm
It was a very popular pass-time back in the 50's & 60's to buy them for $20 bucks and make Fitz Special belly guns out of them.
Note the chopped barrel, hammer, and front of trigger guard missing.
The friction tape grip wrap is really classic!
rc
http://www.pbyrescue.com/weapons/m1917/m1917.htm
It was a very popular pass-time back in the 50's & 60's to buy them for $20 bucks and make Fitz Special belly guns out of them.
Note the chopped barrel, hammer, and front of trigger guard missing.
The friction tape grip wrap is really classic!
rc
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Same exact way Colt did it on SAA's.
Grind a slot for it and silver-solder it back on.
rc
Grind a slot for it and silver-solder it back on.
rc
Hammerhead6814
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That's not abused, just "well-used" 
.
.jad0110
Member
It does look pretty freakin' mean, doesn't it? Awesome.
Actually, I've seen this pic on THR before, I think it belongs to a member.
Kentucky-roughrider
Member
That's not abused, just "well-used" .
You are joking right, that poor thing has been bubbaed by a monster. it is horrible.
You are joking right, that poor thing has been bubbaed by a monster. it is horrible.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Depending on who you're asking, that's a very classic piece.
Do a search here for the "Fitz Special" and learn a bit of history.
Or just check out this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=379158&highlight=fitz+special
This generation doesn't remember the era that produced guns like this and the men who carried them. But your dads (maybe) and grandpops knew them.
I say, it is cool for what it is. Sure, a pristine example has obvious appeal, but one like this is a tool that had an important job and a distinguished history in it's own way.
-Sam
Do a search here for the "Fitz Special" and learn a bit of history.
Or just check out this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=379158&highlight=fitz+special
This generation doesn't remember the era that produced guns like this and the men who carried them. But your dads (maybe) and grandpops knew them.
I say, it is cool for what it is. Sure, a pristine example has obvious appeal, but one like this is a tool that had an important job and a distinguished history in it's own way.
-Sam
doc540
Member
I'd take it in a minute.
We're so used to seeing a bunch of never-fired, tarted-up, prettyguns we turn our noses up at what, to many people, was just another tool.
The stories that piece could tell!
We're so used to seeing a bunch of never-fired, tarted-up, prettyguns we turn our noses up at what, to many people, was just another tool.
The stories that piece could tell!
It has character...and to me, is charming, just as it is.
Nickel Guns, would have the 'White' adhesive Tape option chosen for their cracked Grips...from old time First Aid Kits...which Tape used to come in a little can...really showed dirt-from-use too, that White Tape...and would harden on here like a rock...
Lol...
The one pictured, I think belongs to XavierBreath...
Nickel Guns, would have the 'White' adhesive Tape option chosen for their cracked Grips...from old time First Aid Kits...which Tape used to come in a little can...really showed dirt-from-use too, that White Tape...and would harden on here like a rock...
Lol...
The one pictured, I think belongs to XavierBreath...
WardenWolf
member
Isn't it illegal in most areas without a trigger guard, though?
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Say WHAT? I sure don't know all the state laws on all the books throughout the land, but it isn't in the NFA '34 or it's spawn, and I've never heard of such a rule anywhere I've lived.
Do you know of places where such a rule IS in effect?
-Sam
rdrancher
Member
Well, to each his own I guess...
Gizamo's Fitz is the envy of scores of snub-aholics.
rd
ramis
Member
I'm pretty sure that belongs to XavierBreath.
The late Col. Charles Askins Jr. was an honest-to-goodness-gunfighter. During his early years he served with the U.S. Border Patrol in El Paso Texas. At the time the name of the game was smuggling liquor from Old Mexico because Prohibition was still the law of the land. Because of his somewhat risky occupation he was sometimes involved in several shoot-outs a week. Just before World War Two started he switched services and went into the Army as a 2nd, Lt.
He fought through North Africa, Italy, and Europe, and occasionally left bodies in his wake. Following the war he remained in the Army, and on one assignment at least, he added to his personal body count in French Indo-China. By the time he passed away it was said that the total was somewhere around 40 – give or take.
When I was much younger – and therefore knew everything that anyone needed to know – I had an opportunity to meet him. I knew that during his Border Patrol days and part of the war years, what you might say was his most “active” period in the shooting business, he had carried a Colt New Service .38 Special that was extensively modified. It had a King ventilated rib with an adjustable rear sight, fancy ivory stocks, and the front of the trigger guard was cut away.
So I approached this gunfighting legend and ask him, “Wasn’t it ah… well… dangerous to carry that revolver with the trigger guard cut away?”
He looked me up and down for a few seconds, and I got a distinct feeling that I might have said something that I shouldn’t have.
Then he spoke. Well he said, “If you ever happen to get into a fuss, you will quickly learn if you survive, that there are a lot of things that happen in a gunfight that are far more dangerous then a cut-away trigger guard.”
What you are looking at in the first posted picture is not something that is supposed to look cool, and it is not a butcher job. It is a professional piece of equipment designed for the sole purpose of fighting, and getting its owner out of trouble in one piece. During its time it was made for, and carried by, some other noteable fighting men who are still remembered for their exploits.
In my view this revolver needs no further endorsements.
He fought through North Africa, Italy, and Europe, and occasionally left bodies in his wake. Following the war he remained in the Army, and on one assignment at least, he added to his personal body count in French Indo-China. By the time he passed away it was said that the total was somewhere around 40 – give or take.
When I was much younger – and therefore knew everything that anyone needed to know – I had an opportunity to meet him. I knew that during his Border Patrol days and part of the war years, what you might say was his most “active” period in the shooting business, he had carried a Colt New Service .38 Special that was extensively modified. It had a King ventilated rib with an adjustable rear sight, fancy ivory stocks, and the front of the trigger guard was cut away.
So I approached this gunfighting legend and ask him, “Wasn’t it ah… well… dangerous to carry that revolver with the trigger guard cut away?”
He looked me up and down for a few seconds, and I got a distinct feeling that I might have said something that I shouldn’t have.
Then he spoke. Well he said, “If you ever happen to get into a fuss, you will quickly learn if you survive, that there are a lot of things that happen in a gunfight that are far more dangerous then a cut-away trigger guard.”
What you are looking at in the first posted picture is not something that is supposed to look cool, and it is not a butcher job. It is a professional piece of equipment designed for the sole purpose of fighting, and getting its owner out of trouble in one piece. During its time it was made for, and carried by, some other noteable fighting men who are still remembered for their exploits.
In my view this revolver needs no further endorsements.
Hawk
Member
This web site, maybe? Sure looks like the pic Gizamo posted June '08.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=368251
I like it.
Revolver Ocelot
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I like it, it has character
Revolver Ocelot
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Actually I believe it began on xavier breath's site.
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/06/fitz-special.html
edit: my mistake, the gizamo post predates xaviers blog on the gun, not to mention it seems gizamo actually owns it.
still some interesting info on the fitz special colts
see thats what i meant by guns with character in my other post but i ended up getting pics of alot of engraved nickle safequeens oh well
thanks for all the info i like the gun thats why i grabbed the picture i think its the most beautiful snubbie ive seen in a while because its raw tool like set up with no "extra" "tactical" "gunsmithers name here endorsed" junk on or done to it its when a gun was well... a gun
p.s. nice spot on the cut trigger gaurd ive looked this pic over alot and i never noticed that
thanks for all the info i like the gun thats why i grabbed the picture i think its the most beautiful snubbie ive seen in a while because its raw tool like set up with no "extra" "tactical" "gunsmithers name here endorsed" junk on or done to it its when a gun was well... a gun
p.s. nice spot on the cut trigger gaurd ive looked this pic over alot and i never noticed that
I agree with Fuff. The barrel has been cut and the hammer bobbed, but it is not "butchered" or a "bubba job."
It is quite well done and the friction tape on the stock is not because the stock is cracked, but to give a better grip for control in rapid fire.
That gun was made for, and probably used by, someone who knew exactly what he wanted and what he wanted it for.
I am pretty sure it was used for what I sometimes call "serious purposes".
Jim
It is quite well done and the friction tape on the stock is not because the stock is cracked, but to give a better grip for control in rapid fire.
That gun was made for, and probably used by, someone who knew exactly what he wanted and what he wanted it for.
I am pretty sure it was used for what I sometimes call "serious purposes".
Jim
Revolver Ocelot
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I agree 100% Dimis, if I ever saw a gun like that I'd buy it in a heart beat, yo can tell by looking at it that it has quite a history to it.
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