Phil; That is not only an interesting modification, but an historic one as well. Many (many) years ago, those mods were becoming pretty popular for concealed carry. I believe it was called the "fitz", or Fitzpatrick (if my memory serves me). The guns were just like yours....most even had the front sights removed, cylinders were radically chamfered....there were a host of many different modifications done to those old guns, to make them "shootable" under just about any circumstance..... not only being able to shoot the gun with gloves on, but, from within trouser or coat pockets, etc. That design was probably one of the most sensible and realistic designs ever concieved for a concealed carry handgun. There are not a whole lot of those guns that were made that way, or, are left anymore. On very rare occasion (maybe three times in my entire life), I have seen one, and when I do, I know that the fella carrying it is "dead serious" about "in close" personal defense. That design is the ultimate in belly guns!!!!..........by the way, what do you ride?
Yes...to my mind, the 'Fitz' type modifications are very practical, and present no liability for anyone sensible.
Some people imagine mishap resulting from the front of the Trigger Bow being absent, and, of course, one would have to use a good deal of force, insensately, to have that be a problem in either drawing, or, putting back.
I'm sure you'd agree, that were one such a idiot as to do either, in a way so as to cause an unintended fire, one would be no less at risk with any firearm, far as inventing idiot antics for mis-adventure.
'Bike was and is a '34 Indian Chief Special. Factory Edison Spiltdorf Magnito, High-Compression Iron Heads, tall Countershaft Sprocket...bigger Arvel Schebler Ventury diameter.
74 CID, four-and-a-half-to-one Compression, weighs 420 lbs...rated soewhere around 32 Horse I think...
Will hold modern Highway-Interstate Speeds all day with no problem, if you don't mind being beaten up by the Wind even if you are tucked 'in' low.
I've held it at 115 sustained, paced by other's modern fast 'bike speedos, and it was not topped out...probably would top out around 125-ish I'd guess.
4:50-18 Tires. Old, 'hard' Tires too.
In the 1980s and '90s, the Police Harleys here topped out a 103 on a good day. But they were a little peppier outa the hole than me.
Drove it often for many years, Grocery Sore, used i for errands...put about fifteen thousand City and out of town miles on it, never a problem...but traffic here got so dense and bad I have given it and me a rest. Really only has one Brake, for the rear, so my stopping distances were about worse than anything else on the Road...you really have to plan ahead as you go.
Old, unrestored 'bike...it seeps, drips, hisses...smokes a little...and always starts perfecly with a couple priming kick-throughs first.
50 wt Aeroshell...
Anyway, did the mods to the little S&W Model 36, since I needed something for the pants Pocket.
With an old 'serious' 'bike, there's people who'll way-lay you if they think they can get away with it...to steal the 'bike. Especially in out of the way places, old Roads and so on...day Camping...
I'd met such people, and, I wanted to have something useful to offer, were that to happen.
A hand already 'in' a trouser pocket, shows nothing unusual, particularly in preliminary phases of a developing and maybe pensive situation.
Had a few close ones, too...each having been when I'd forgot to have it on me.
My wits got me through, but only barely...'sobering'...to say the least.