I thought I'd share a few pictures of project I've always wanted to do and finally found the right gun and had the money to get it accomplished. I just got it back from the gunsmith yesterday.

I wanted to create a fitz special out of a Colt New Service 1917 or something similar out of a S&W 1917. However, I could never find a base gun for the decent price point; also, I could never bring myself to destroy a true military surplus.

About a month ago I found the perfect gun for my dream project: A S&W 1917 that had a Model of 1950 barrel on it and the lanyard loop missing. It was also without the original wood grips and was wearing a set of modified N-frame pachmayr rubber grips. My LGS has it priced as a shooter. (See the before picture).

I just got it back from the gunsmith yesterday and it looks awesome (after picture).
He cut and crowned the barrel to about 3 inches, bobbed the hammer, removed the single action hitch in the hammer, shortened and rounded the grip frame, and refinished the whole gun. The gunsmith cut an N-frame pachmayr grip adapter short and created a custom pair of wood grips for it. The gunsmith said he used grips off a 44 hand ejector to make grips.

My gunsmith actually thanked me for wanting to do that project. It was seldom he gets to do old school gunsmithing and he loved doing it.

I haven't had a chance to take it to the range. When I do, I'll be sure to include a range report.

I also have to now find an N-Frame holster. I'd appreciate any recommendations on that front.

Attached Images

	1917_left_before.jpg (47.2 KB, 346 views)
	1917_left_after.jpg (46.2 KB, 472 views)

Google Archangel Leather, Jason will craft you about anything you desire. Look at their carry holsters.

yeah, that'll do just fine.

Charlie

Welcome to the Forum.

Looks good. What did your smith do about the serial number?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

An El Paso Tom Three Persons in floral or basket weave would be perfect! Not inexpensive, but you didn't ask for that.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Wow, quite a transformation! Looks good OP!

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USMC 83'-87', NRA Member.

Here's my diy project from a few years back. I don't know who made the holster but it's perfect.
1917a.jpg

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

My thoughts exactly.
Serious looking heater regardless.

Neat belly gun..
Always thought the "Ftiz" revolvers
were neat.
Never followed thru with the project.
Snagged this not long ago...it will do for now.

I'd be happy with that from now on . Beautiful gun .

Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

I thought that the term "fitz" required the removal of the front of the trigger guard????? Just an FYI for you guys modifying military arms, remember that they lose their C&R status.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I like the looks of a big bore snub nosed revolver not a fan of cutting the trigger guard though. I too am curious about the serial number.

Here is a 1917 I snubbed using a 1950 barrel and milled for adj sights and cut down and round butted.

The gunsmith restamped the serial number on the butt of the gun.

You were right that a true Fitz special has the front of the trigger guard removed but that's recognized as a liability in this day in age.

It was more of the spirit of the Fitz special: Taking a full sized duty gun and converting it into a carry snubnose.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

I would like to know who the smith was that wanted to do this kind of work as many off us would like to send him an inquiry

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Tommy

Looks great.

I like it!

Cool guns all ,those big bore snubs are coool

I would prefer a traditional round butt, leaving options for grips.

Impressive ,then again most of your customs are .