COPY RIGHTED MATERIAL REMOVED BECAUSE OF NEW FORUM RULES. SORRY.

Thanks for posting the article, I've been checking out all of the Fitz info I can find.

I've got a S&W 1917 "Classic" that I bought right last year and I've been thinking about what to do with it. Supposedly it hasn't been shot much (<300rds) but it has some scuffs and scratches that are... unbecoming. Allof the Fitz Special stuff I've been seeing lately has me thinking about letting a young and very talented local gunsmith cut it up into a modern version of the Fitz style revolver. Done right and fancied up with a bit of engraving and a real high polish blue job I think it might make for an interesting family gun that my Dad, my son, and I can enjoy together, and be kept in the family as a sort of heirloom gun. What do you guys think?

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Excellent artical.
Thanks for sharing!

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That was worth puttin' on my readers.
Thanks!!!

D.G.

I've been wanting to read that book for a long time, it's on my list of things to do before I die. I wonder if John Taffin will loan me his copy?

Very nice article. Thanks for posting it.

wyo-man

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Come on guys...let's show em'...


Here's mine next to a similiar framed .44 Mag S&W.




giz

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I'm in!

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Whitecoyote, what is the base model for the top pic?

It's a Colt, Army Special. Mfg. 1922.

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Thanks for posting that story.
I'd seen the "Fitz Special" before,but had
no idea of the story behind it.

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WC145, I like your idea for a project gun. Project guns are a whole lotta fun. I think your dad, son, and you could have a lot of fun researching just want you want and who you want to do it. E.g., the basic work to the gun, then the engraving, the refinish, maybe some grips, a holster, etc. It's fun to take your time, and if it takes a couple of years to get it done, well, that's a coulple of years of fun.

Jellybean, which book do you mean? The pic shows the Fitzgerald book, and the text refers to an Askins book published in 1939 but does not give the title. (Or I overlooked it in a quick re-read.) I have pretty good luck finding these old classics at www.abebooks.com. Might try there.

For you owners of Fitz Specials, how do you feel about that open trigger guard? I see Wyatt's got a holster for his... And I've read that Fitz himself had special pockets, presumably reinforced, for his trousers. (Man, two New Services in one's front trouser pockets... Ya know, I bet that ol' boy was wearing braces. Put that load on his shoulders. Yeah, I could see myself doing that. ) I dunno about just sticking a Fitz in a regular pants pocket tho. That open trigger guard makes me nervous. Would like to have one to admire tho, for sure.

Was just reading a bit in The Book of Colt Firearms, and the Fitz's were, in addition to New Services, made from Bankers Specials, Detective Specials, and other DA models. Wilson says some 50 were New Services. So, maybe ol' Fitz was carrying two Fitzed Dick Specials in those front pockets...

Onomea. My gun in the holster has a trigger guard. I just can't bring myself to have it removed. I just bought a .45 Colt N.S. the other day. This old guy ain't perfect but it was only $250. I thought it would be a good candidate for a Fitz but I think I'll leave it alone. Nice sites on it.

Wyatt, that's a great price! Those sights are really intriguing. What do you figure? The guy had a particular load he liked at a particular distance? I don't think I've ever seen that rear sight set up, the fixed-sight add-on, before.

This gun has been refinished eons ago. And then it worn down to what it is now. And the sites have aged with the gun. I think a serious shooter a long time ago either was a handloader, like you said, or just wanted a better site arangement. Probably both. This was the rare situation where I checked the classifieds an hour after this was posted and snagged it. It makes up for all the deals I've missed!

Onomea,

Going back to your earlier post. Mine rides in a Berns-Martin holster that fit's like a glove. It is a break-front style with one addition, it has a strap to the front to hold the break-front closed.




giz

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I always thought that the 1917 "classic" would be a great start for a Fitz conversion. With modern metals and properly cut throats it should shoot better than the originals. It also gives you an opportunity to correct the ejector rod that just doesn't look right to me.
I would probably not cut away the trigger guard though, it's a little extreme and I just think it doesn't look as good on a Smith frame as it does on a Colt.
I would however heavily relieve the right (or left if you're a lefty) side of it for quicker and easier acces to the trigger.

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Onomea, I was referring to Fitzs book, "Shooting". I've passed up a few copies and am keeping an eye open, but it is down pretty far on my list of priorities. I've bought books before that weren't what I'd thought they'd be and am not so sure about this one.

Thanks for making me try to read that article again, I didn't see anything about a book by Askins the first time, and still can't, I need to find my magnifying clip-on glasses.

For what it's worth, I think that the Fitzgerald book, Shooting, is really good. Occasionally he goes into a riff, and makes you think, "Damn, this guy really does know what he is talkin' about." He is a much easier read than his contemporary, McGivern.

Jellybean, I'll lend you my copy if you don't want to buy one without a peruse. Just be mail charges back to me. PM if interested. (Now I am in Japan, so be maybe $10-15 bucks. Got ya covered one way tho...)

Giz, been admiring yours since you got it. That there is one serious, workin' gun. Like the holster, too.

S&W M1917, .45acp.

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I don't care for the shortened frames or the bobbed hammers, but they would be tolerable if really needed. As far as the butchered trigger guards, there is no reason I can think of that would justify that.

I put my asbestos underwear on, so flame away.

Jellybean, while I would not carry, today, a revolver without a front trigger guard, I have friends who are flat "greased lightning" with a handgun and to a man they swear that the open trigger guard is most certainly "faster". In the "Day" the men who carried these types of handguns were not worried about being sued by some PC attorney out to enrich some miscreant but rather "putting down" the "bad" guy.

Joe, my reasons have nothing to do with PC or attorneys. I have never had a problem with the trigger guard getting in my way or hampering my fast draw or shooting in any way. Maybe it's due to my shortish fingers, but I can't see any benefit and I have shot a lot of fast draw with my S&W revolvers.

I do think it could lead to some serious accidents though, isn't that why they're there?

Here are mine. These are for sale too. Not completely "Fitzed" since still have the long barrell and hammer. This a model 1950 in 45, a model 1955 in 45 and a 38/44 outdoorsman, 38 cal.

http://i403.photobucket.com/albums/p...y/DSC_0095.jpg

McGivern disapproved of the cutaway trigger guard, as did Bill Jordan.

I was going to post that famous picture of Iron Eyes Cody with the tear running down one cheek, and then remembered that it's probably copyrighted.

I feel the same way

DG

OOOooo...Jzo. I'm deeply wanting to believe that those three revolvers are photoshopped rather than actually "Fitzed!"

Wyatt Burp, Sir no pictures or text in your post.

I had to remove them. It was copies of a magazine article and they have a new copyright rule on the forum. no more posting of copyrighted material on here for legal reasons. sorry everybody. It's a great article, though.