S&W M1917 Fitz special
- Thread starter wnycollector
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Guillermo
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The supposed lack of safety seems very overstated as mentioned by the incomparable Old Fuff.
Also, while his warning concerning the litigious world in which we live is spot on, if I thought I were to have a tactical advantage I would rather "be tried by 12 rather than..."
Of course I too love old Colts so it would be tough for me to chop one unless it were already cobbled up.
BTW, I do not often pocket carry so I am even LESS likely to do a Fitz (although occasionally I throw one). My daily carry is an unmodified Detective Special in a high ride Bianchi belt holster so I can't see any good reason to chop the old girl up.
If I DID pocket carry and the RIGHT gun came along...hmmmmmm
Also, while his warning concerning the litigious world in which we live is spot on, if I thought I were to have a tactical advantage I would rather "be tried by 12 rather than..."
Of course I too love old Colts so it would be tough for me to chop one unless it were already cobbled up.
BTW, I do not often pocket carry so I am even LESS likely to do a Fitz (although occasionally I throw one). My daily carry is an unmodified Detective Special in a high ride Bianchi belt holster so I can't see any good reason to chop the old girl up.
If I DID pocket carry and the RIGHT gun came along...hmmmmmm
I wouldn't either, but your setup requires a covering garment unless you are open carrying. In hot weather that can become unconfortable, and even attract unwanted attention. Pocket carry has both advantages and disadvantages, but it can be both very fast, and handy when something else isn't.
Now as for modifications on your Detective Special...
earlthegoat2
Member
Thank you for post #48 Olf Fuff.
Very informative and insightful and it answered my question perfectly.
Very informative and insightful and it answered my question perfectly.
Guillermo
member
stay back hacksaw man!!!
Guillermo
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ddixie884
Member
There's just nothing like a "Fitzed" New Service to say business. JMHO.
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whitecoyote
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Old Fuff you sound very knowledgeable regarding the Fitz revolvers. I enjoyed reading all your post in this thread.
"Fitzed" Colt Army Special, cir. 1922.
"Fitzed" Colt Army Special, cir. 1922.
wnycollector
Member
I noticed that the "fitzed" M1917 sold last night to a buyer with the nickname of whitecoyote1...interesting Whitecoyote are you perchance the lucky winner? If so, when will you be giving us a range report and more pictures?
Whitecoyote are you perchance the lucky winner? If so, when will you be giving us a range report and more pictures?
Cocked & Locked
Member
you know so!
whitecoyote
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Just a coincidence.
whitecoyote
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S&W M1917 "Fitz" has arrived.
Saturday (02/20/2010) I picked up the S&W M1917 "Fitz Special", .45 acp.
The barrel has been shortened to 3", rifling is sharp & smooth, front sight installed, grip frame has been rounded off, hammer bobbed (grooves cut into top of hammer), will shoot single & double action, lanyard ring hole on bottom of the grip frame has been plugged, and the trigger guard cut to a Fitz style. The grips do not appear to be original.
The S&W shoots very nice, shot 26 rounds 230gr FMJ. The sights are well regulated, and the trigger is real smooth. The Smith has some mechanical problems, but that will be addressed later.
Whoever customized this revolver, did a nice job. It also appears to have been done a long time ago.
Per Roy Jinks, the M1917, serial #126xxx, was shipped October, 1918.
Enjoy.
Saturday (02/20/2010) I picked up the S&W M1917 "Fitz Special", .45 acp.
The barrel has been shortened to 3", rifling is sharp & smooth, front sight installed, grip frame has been rounded off, hammer bobbed (grooves cut into top of hammer), will shoot single & double action, lanyard ring hole on bottom of the grip frame has been plugged, and the trigger guard cut to a Fitz style. The grips do not appear to be original.
The S&W shoots very nice, shot 26 rounds 230gr FMJ. The sights are well regulated, and the trigger is real smooth. The Smith has some mechanical problems, but that will be addressed later.
Whoever customized this revolver, did a nice job. It also appears to have been done a long time ago.
Per Roy Jinks, the M1917, serial #126xxx, was shipped October, 1918.
Enjoy.
gb6491
Member
Nice! Congrats on the new purchase whitecoyote.
BTW: excellent photos of the old girl. That grip profile screams "Broomhandle Mauser" to me.
Regards,
Greg
BTW: excellent photos of the old girl. That grip profile screams "Broomhandle Mauser" to me.
Regards,
Greg
Every one of you stinking people on this thread ... well ... stink!
I just had back surgery on Thursday afternoon. I can't get up and walk on my own without a walker, but you make me want to strain myself getting into the safe, drag myself outside, probably fall down the steps on the deck, have to roll my temporarioy old feeling 33 year old body off my now torn up walker, spit the dirt and grass out of my mouth, and fire a couple of moon clips worth of ammo out of my modified 1917. I keep reading post after post and keep thinking,"Man, I love that gun!"
Seriously, I had a beat-up, nicked, dropped, etc. 1937 Brazilian contract 1917 with a purple(plum) cylinder sitting around just begging to be "fixed up." My GS cut it to 3 1/4", put the half moon sight back on it, polished it up (including removing the patend date info on top of the barrel), and reblued it beautifully. It shoots llike a dream right at point of aim, and looks terrific. When I get well I'll have to look in the safe to make sur pj150 didn't sneak in, cut the hammer off, and remove my grips. They look a LOT alike.
If anyone is going to build one, use the half moon sight instead of the one like the GB gun (no offense. you bought; you didn't make it). The half moon makes it much easier to draw out of a pocket or a holster without tearing up either over time. Thanks to everyone for helping me keep my mind on guns and off my sore back.
I just had back surgery on Thursday afternoon. I can't get up and walk on my own without a walker, but you make me want to strain myself getting into the safe, drag myself outside, probably fall down the steps on the deck, have to roll my temporarioy old feeling 33 year old body off my now torn up walker, spit the dirt and grass out of my mouth, and fire a couple of moon clips worth of ammo out of my modified 1917. I keep reading post after post and keep thinking,"Man, I love that gun!"Seriously, I had a beat-up, nicked, dropped, etc. 1937 Brazilian contract 1917 with a purple(plum) cylinder sitting around just begging to be "fixed up." My GS cut it to 3 1/4", put the half moon sight back on it, polished it up (including removing the patend date info on top of the barrel), and reblued it beautifully. It shoots llike a dream right at point of aim, and looks terrific. When I get well I'll have to look in the safe to make sur pj150 didn't sneak in, cut the hammer off, and remove my grips.
They look a LOT alike. If anyone is going to build one, use the half moon sight instead of the one like the GB gun (no offense. you bought; you didn't make it). The half moon makes it much easier to draw out of a pocket or a holster without tearing up either over time. Thanks to everyone for helping me keep my mind on guns and off my sore back.
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Guillermo
member
Zundfolge,
Very classy
whitecoyote
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From the seller, the only known History, regarding the S&W revolver:
"I wish I knew more about this gun. My uncle inherited the gun when a friend of his died several years ago. His friend was a WWII vet that repaired guns and tried to get them into the hands of the french resistance."
Other than that, all is lost to History.
"I wish I knew more about this gun. My uncle inherited the gun when a friend of his died several years ago. His friend was a WWII vet that repaired guns and tried to get them into the hands of the french resistance."
Other than that, all is lost to History.
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Zundfolge
Member
Just picked up a Dan Wesson 14-2 recently ... maybe it could be visited by the ghost of Fitzgerald....
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ddixie884
Member
Lets bring this up, again. I really like BBBGs.
whitecoyote
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Thanks for bringing it back. One of my favorite threads.
wnycollector
Member
Yep, one of mine also!
Whitecoyote, just wondering if you have fixed the problems you mentioned back in February?
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