cut down 44 special

[AudieMurphy]

I though I'd share this with the web site.just got this in after a month or so of set backs,but here it is.the barrel cylinder and frame match. I didnt want to take the gun apart but after looking the back of the extractor matches also.It appears that who ever owned this,sank some serious money into it

 

[Venom6]

Nice. Wonder if "Fitz" himself did the work (even though he worked for C*olt).

 

[AudieMurphy]

just wondering if colt kept records that far back. serial number takes it to 1931... its definately not a kitchen table conversion. looks even like it was gold plated because some spots on cylinder have flaked

 

[lawandorder]

Nice grips!

 

[Yendor357]

Are you going to fire it?

 

[AudieMurphy]

Maybe someday but not right away.I'm looking to get some documentation. either from Smith or Colt...just curious who did the work and who carried it..****mor has it Frank Hamer carried one in his waistband

 

[quinn]

Way cool 'Fitz'd" 2nd model 44 wearing ivory. Can't tell anything about possible plating from the photos, but that will probably draw some attention over at the Bracken Range. What is the back sory?

If that was done here in the Alamo city, it could have been done by Hiram Lebman of Lebman Saddlery and Ranch Supply downtown. He was a major Colt dealer at that time and an incredible gunsmith.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

just wondering if colt kept records that far back. serial number takes it to 1931... its definately not a kitchen table conversion. looks even like it was gold plated because some spots on cylinder have flaked

Its a S&W revolver so why would Colt care?

I think it was a bubba who had a large kitchen table because the kid's swing was under the shade tree.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Maybe someday but not right away.I'm looking to get some documentation. either from Smith or Colt...just curious who did the work and who carried it..****mor has it Frank Hamer carried one in his waistband

Lots of gunsmiths in Texas. Now that was a popular custom job in the 1930s - 1940s. So it could have been anybody in the last 90 years.

Now if it was Frank Hamer or any well known Texas Ranger the previous owner would have mentioned that and added $100 or a $1000 to the price. More likely it would have been the Town Constable in Coahoma.

 

[AudieMurphy]

Way cool 'Fitz'd" 2nd model 44 wearing ivory. Can't tell anything about possible plating from the photos, but that will probably draw some attention over at the Bracken Range. What is the back sory?

If that was done here in the Alamo city, it could have been done by Hiram Lebman of Lebman Saddlery and Ranch Supply downtown. He was a major Colt dealer at that time and an incredible gunsmith.

Sorry about the darken photos,I did have the flash on. I'd like to find out who did the work and who for. I did do some research and Fitz did most work on Colts although,there were some smiths.I took the grips off just to see if there were any markings other than factory...there was nothing

 

[AudieMurphy]

Its a S&W revolver so why would Colt care?

I think it was a bubba who had a large kitchen table because the kid's swing was under the shade tree.

I'm sorry to hear about your childhood. maybe with some counseling it may bring a more positive outlook on life

 

[Farmer17]

I never liked cutaway trigger guards but like everything else about it.

 

[dbracin]

That is a interesting looking Fitz Special. Although I do wonder why someone would actually want to do that?

 

[444 Magnum]

A revolver with character and history. I love the ivories. Nice find.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I'm sorry to hear about your childhood. maybe with some counseling it may bring a more positive outlook on life

Nah, I was a Lawman for 40 years. Criminals lie everyday to you.

Do not let me get started on Pawn Shop owners. Some are great people but others I have seen give a widow $20 for the old junk Colt. Then put $2000 on Wyatt Earp's Colt Single Action Army (that was in the 1970s).

 

[T44spl]

Nice gun, kinda cool serious business gun fighter's gun. I'm not a fan of Fitzed guns but I do appreciate old school guns that were modified to give an edge to hard core crime fighters or even bad guys. After all we only have the equiptment to observe & study at this point. So the theories & speculations really get the brain juices flowing for what fits the gun.
One other thing, it seems that the rear sight looks like a post war modern adjustable rear sight? Am I mistaken or was it possibly changed at some time? I'm sure the top strap of a pre war gun can be milled to accept a post war rear sight, But is there enough "meat" to do that to Safely accept the new style sight?

 

[mikerjf]

Yeah, the adjustable sight is the incongruous thing. A close encounter gun with a longer distance sight. Texas Ranger?

Really like it and would love to find something like that myself. Wonderful grips!

 

[Retired W4]

Nah, I was a Lawman for 40 years. Criminals lie everyday to you.

Honest officer, I only had two beers.

I do like the ivories.

 

[Truckman]

Really like it and would love to find something like that myself. Wonderful grips!

I found mine, maybe yours will turn up...Keep looking...All three barrel lengths are factory work...All numbers match including the stocks, box and docs......Ben

 

[Hawg Rider]

That's a pretty nice conversion even if Fitz wasn't involved. Now if you want to see a kitchen table hack job...check out this partial "Fitz-ing" of a Colt DA .45! This revolver is in my son's gun shop where it was traded in many years ago. Looks like Bubba didn't have the time or qualifications to complete the job, or even do a decent job on what he did accomplish. He was probably just playing around with a beat up old WWI Colt DA .45.