I've just acquired a .38 Special CTG that I believe to have been used in draw and fire competitions in the '30s. My Grandfather used to tell a story about qualifying for the '36 Olympics in a Draw and Fire category, but being unable to afford to go to Berlin, as it was during the Depression.

Serial number 169xxx, stamped in two places.

I posted this with another title recently, and a kind person informed me that it's a Fitz Special

Any comments?

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Whatever else it is I can tell you that that gun is wicked cool. I'd love to have a piece like that in my collection, especially with the family history. Nice gun.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

Looks like a fightin' gun for a depression era cop who knew he was going into harm's way. Awesome gun. Thanks for posting it.

Always had been told that "Fitz" specials were Colt only.

I thought Colt as well, and only snubbies. In any case, it has a story.

It looks like it has Target style drift rear sight added too, I like the looks Cool Gun, I owned a Target 1917 that had been Fitzed by the Factory here is a picture.

Dan

That gun with the history is way cool.

Pete

Dan,
Is that original? I have never seen anything like it before. The slim barrel and sight ramp must have taken a bit of work. Looks great.

The alterations were those used on Fitz guns, but are not technically Fitz Specials, as those were factory made Colts.

Chas. Askins altered some guns like that and they were shown in his earlier articles. He usually used Berns-Martin holsters with them. The missing trigger guard wouldn't have suited them for Threepersons holsters, or similar styles!

Bill Jordan condemned the "Fitz look" idea in his, No Second Place Winner. He had big hands, but only somewhat thinned the trigger guard on one side for maximum speed access.

I agree that there are safety and esthetic concerns with these guns. I don't want one. But they remain an interesting piece of history.

T-Star

Germany took the Gold in the 25 metre rapid fire pistol, the winner Cornelius Van Oyen. The U.S. placed 15th., Clarence Fishert.

The 50 metre free pistol event was won by Sweden, Gold medal awarded to Torsten Ullman. The U.S, placed 6th., Elliot Jones.

There were 140 competitors from 29 nations.

Too bad your ancestor couldn't make it, things might have turned out a bit better for our team. I wonder what type of pistols were typically used and allowed for these Olympic competitions, back in 1936? I like the Fitz's and have owned several over the years, but they were all Colt's.

Cheers;
Lefty

To my understanding the Fitz Specials were created by JH Fitzgerald a Colt employee and spokesman, and started as his personal carry guns. His were based on the Colt New Service in .45 Colt. He cut the barrel back to 2", bobbed the hammer, but left enough so it could be checkered and used in single action (by slightly pulling the hammer), shortened the grip and removed the front portion of the trigger guard, one of his explanations for the trigger guard cut was this made the gun easy to use even when the shooter was gloved. He carried two such pistols, one in each of his front pants pockets.

My Grandfather said he always regretted not being able to travel to Germany for the Olympics. He said that the competitors were allowed to carry theit equipment in the opening ceremony, and that he regretted not being able to carry a weapon within firing range of Hitler.

One of my favorite stories.