Searcher1970
Member
Heres a couple pics I thought you guys might enjoy. The copyright date on this book is 1929.
Period "Fitz Special" type pics
- Thread starter Searcher1970
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rdrancher
Member
Very cool!
Thanks for sharing.
rd
Thanks for sharing.
rd
Searcher1970
Member
I love that Fitz of yours gizamo. If only it could talk.
Giz, I love it whenever you show the pics of the "fitz" !!!!
I'm also beginning to recognize some of the rocks around your place. I've noted that you have several that are your favorite props for your pics !!
Thanks Again for sharing.
Don
I'm also beginning to recognize some of the rocks around your place. I've noted that you have several that are your favorite props for your pics !!
Thanks Again for sharing.
Don
Thanks guys,
As you know, I collect my "storied" revolvers. The Fitz has a undocumented story that goes with it. I have spent a year working on that story and will be bringing it out soon....I would have liked to do so on the other forum that I managed to get myself banned from, as so many folks had interest and helped me develope the research that went into the gun.
Similiar kind of a story to the Tunnel Rat 36 that I have in my collection. That story was almost 2 years in tracking down the details, so the Fitz is on the same timeline. One family member to go on record about the man that owned it and I will publish.
Lesson learned. Story guns have no intrinsic value. The face value of either gun is very little. And vetting the story is very time consuming. Would I do either gun again, you bet
The Tunnel Rat was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Meeting Ed, and the way things twisted and turned in the 2 years was one of the most nerve wracking, and inspirational things that have happened to me....
For those who have no idea what I'm talking about....
Woodsltc....
This rock is for you....
Working on another gun as we speak, as I try to add a new gun with each passing year....
Giz
As you know, I collect my "storied" revolvers. The Fitz has a undocumented story that goes with it. I have spent a year working on that story and will be bringing it out soon....I would have liked to do so on the other forum that I managed to get myself banned from, as so many folks had interest and helped me develope the research that went into the gun.
Similiar kind of a story to the Tunnel Rat 36 that I have in my collection. That story was almost 2 years in tracking down the details, so the Fitz is on the same timeline. One family member to go on record about the man that owned it and I will publish.
Lesson learned. Story guns have no intrinsic value. The face value of either gun is very little. And vetting the story is very time consuming. Would I do either gun again, you bet
The Tunnel Rat was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Meeting Ed, and the way things twisted and turned in the 2 years was one of the most nerve wracking, and inspirational things that have happened to me....For those who have no idea what I'm talking about....
Woodsltc....
This rock is for you....
Working on another gun as we speak, as I try to add a new gun with each passing year....
Giz
Patrick Henry
Member
I'm curious, what is the point of cutting away the trigger guard?
Patrick Henry...
Interesting sig line....I usually use to use one in Latin myself...on another forum.
The cut away trigger guard allows the gun to come into play faster. Especially with gloves on.....
It also works well with a front break-away holster, ~ such as an original Berns Martin that was designed for this pupose...
And Searcher1970
Here is a period correct picture of a Fitz Special....but more recent times... a bit before WWII.
Where this particular guns history gets going....
Giz
Interesting sig line....I usually use to use one in Latin myself...on another forum.
The cut away trigger guard allows the gun to come into play faster. Especially with gloves on.....
It also works well with a front break-away holster, ~ such as an original Berns Martin that was designed for this pupose...
And Searcher1970
Here is a period correct picture of a Fitz Special....but more recent times... a bit before WWII.
Where this particular guns history gets going....
Giz
Hey Giz --- that rock looks familiar!!
By the way "cushrmg" posted on the S&W forum asking for help to find your story about the "tunnel rat M-36".
I checked the archives and found an update you made, but could not find the complete story that you posted at an earlier time --- I think the archive/search function only lets you go back a few months!! Anyway, I answered him with a "link" to what I could find.
Love the pics.
Don
By the way "cushrmg" posted on the S&W forum asking for help to find your story about the "tunnel rat M-36".
I checked the archives and found an update you made, but could not find the complete story that you posted at an earlier time --- I think the archive/search function only lets you go back a few months!! Anyway, I answered him with a "link" to what I could find.
Love the pics.
Don
Patrick Henry
Member
Hey Giz....I guess I can see how that would help wearing gloves.
That last pic is really great. All you need now is a fedora and a ticket to south america...
Thanks for the sig complement -- in fact many I've noticed a number of people have it so I was just about to change it.
That last pic is really great. All you need now is a fedora and a ticket to south america...
Thanks for the sig complement -- in fact many I've noticed a number of people have it so I was just about to change it.
whitecoyote
Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2008
- Messages
- 151
Aquired an interesting "Fitz Special". I don't believe it's an authentic Fitz Special, but appears to be a close copy. There is no "vp" marking.
Only a letter from Colt will verify.
The revolver is a Colt Army Special, manufatured in 1922. Caliber .38 spec. Barrel has been cut to 2.5", frame/grips may possibly have also been cut down.
Notice the checkering on the cylinder release, top of hammer, trigger, & backstrap.
Only a letter from Colt will verify.
The revolver is a Colt Army Special, manufatured in 1922. Caliber .38 spec. Barrel has been cut to 2.5", frame/grips may possibly have also been cut down.
Notice the checkering on the cylinder release, top of hammer, trigger, & backstrap.
1776J
Member
I was lurking around here for months but then decided to register a few minutes ago.
Just wanted to let "Giz" know that when I saw his "fitz" colt for the first time I quickly started delving into the history of Fitzgerald and his colts! I found a "beater" quality candidate (well a little better than "beater" I suppose!) and right now the old sight is being put back on the hand-shortened barrel of itself. In fact, that's scheduled to be done today if not tomorrow!
That will be my personal piece.
My wife and I have been into the 1930s and 40s thing for at least 11 years now. Even met here jitterbugging! We were born in the wrong time! Our house was built in 1910, and the entire inside is furnished in 1930s-early 40s stuff. We've been involved in WWI and WWII living history for years also, and I'm stepping out of the military confines of that side of living history to do depression era and similar living history. Something that has interested me since I was a little boy.
Thanks a million for sharing what you have thus far Giz!
Just wanted to let "Giz" know that when I saw his "fitz" colt for the first time I quickly started delving into the history of Fitzgerald and his colts! I found a "beater" quality candidate (well a little better than "beater" I suppose!) and right now the old sight is being put back on the hand-shortened barrel of itself. In fact, that's scheduled to be done today if not tomorrow!
That will be my personal piece.
My wife and I have been into the 1930s and 40s thing for at least 11 years now. Even met here jitterbugging! We were born in the wrong time! Our house was built in 1910, and the entire inside is furnished in 1930s-early 40s stuff. We've been involved in WWI and WWII living history for years also, and I'm stepping out of the military confines of that side of living history to do depression era and similar living history. Something that has interested me since I was a little boy.
Thanks a million for sharing what you have thus far Giz!
whitecoyote
Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2008
- Messages
- 151
That's exactly what I did. Made my own "Fitz Special".
Link to "The making of a "New" Fitz Special" http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/500103904/m/96110053/p/1
Link to "The making of a "New" Fitz Special" http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/500103904/m/96110053/p/1
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Thomas Garrett
Member
whitecoyote, That is beautiful! Now i know what Old Fuff was talking about. A++++
The old Model 36 I modified for Trouser Pocket and Motorycle in 1989...'Fitzesque' anyway...
An open Trigger Bow makes a big differene if wearing Riding Gloves, or, for alacrity anyway, when not wearing Gloves.
With the Grip having been made smaller, this is shot 'Mexican' style, with one's middle finger tip on the trigger.
Once in a Blue Moon, it rides in an old Shoulder Holster, otherwise, it lives in the front Trouser Pocket. Fits fine in Levi 501s.
An open Trigger Bow makes a big differene if wearing Riding Gloves, or, for alacrity anyway, when not wearing Gloves.
With the Grip having been made smaller, this is shot 'Mexican' style, with one's middle finger tip on the trigger.
Once in a Blue Moon, it rides in an old Shoulder Holster, otherwise, it lives in the front Trouser Pocket. Fits fine in Levi 501s.
1776J
Member
Oyboten... very nice!
Anonymous Coward
Member
Patrick Henry said:
Big fingers, I think.
Just looking at it gives me the heebies, though. Otherwise, very very cool.
JWF III
Member
gizamo-love the pictures of your Fitz Special. There's something about the electrical tape that just adds something to that tool. I have a Rem. 870 that has a similar taped wrist.
For some reason NIB and ANIB (etc.) does nothing for me. I like well used and cared for tools. Functionality trumps fashion in my book.
Wyman
For some reason NIB and ANIB (etc.) does nothing for me. I like well used and cared for tools. Functionality trumps fashion in my book.
Wyman
The original idea behind the Fitz Special was that would be carried in the side pocket of one's trousers. At the time gentlemen’s styles were on the loose side, which greatly enhanced the practicality of carrying a large but short revolver in one’s pocket. However Mr. FitzGerald discovered that it was difficult to get his finger on the trigger because the trigger guard got in the way. So he modified the guard to eliminate the problem.
While doing this scares the pants off some (pardon the pun) it isn’t as dangerous as some seem to think. Some have pointed out that one might bend the guard while pounding someone on or about the head, but the men that carried them weren’t the kind who used their sidearm as a club. In fact those that endorsed the idea read like a who’s who list of gunfighters that were active on both sides of the law during the period between the World Wars. One of them, the late Col. Charles Askins of Border Patrol and Army fame, once remarked to me when I brought up the subject, “that there were a lot more dangerous things in a gun fight that a cut-away trigger guard,” and he was in a position to know.
While doing this scares the pants off some (pardon the pun) it isn’t as dangerous as some seem to think. Some have pointed out that one might bend the guard while pounding someone on or about the head, but the men that carried them weren’t the kind who used their sidearm as a club. In fact those that endorsed the idea read like a who’s who list of gunfighters that were active on both sides of the law during the period between the World Wars. One of them, the late Col. Charles Askins of Border Patrol and Army fame, once remarked to me when I brought up the subject, “that there were a lot more dangerous things in a gun fight that a cut-away trigger guard,” and he was in a position to know.
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