Fitz Special

[Dashriprock]

Ever since reading the book Shooting by J. Henry FitzGerald back when I was an impressionable lad, I've wanted a Fitz.

Real ones modified by the man are rare, and prohibitively expensive when they do surface.

I inherited a Colt Official Police years ago that looked like it had been stored in a bag of hammers. Perfect donor gun.

So I brought it in to work a few weeks back, and let our team of gunsmiths go to work on it.

We made a video of the process and a bit of Fitz history, too. Thanks for looking!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kQhNoUggAQ[/ame]

 

[AJ]

Always liked Fitz's guns.

 

[6518John]

Dashriprock—That video is outstanding. Thanks for sharing.

 

[dsf]

Really nice done - video and gun!

 

[Drm50]

I remember 25-30yr ago when one of the gun rags had Fitz Special article. The gun shows started filling up with Faux-Fitz Specials. Every dipstick that had a beat DA revolver were wacking them down like Fitz. Some fairly good work others hack saw and cut off wheel work. There were a lot of “rare” one of a kind specials made for sellers great grandpa by Fitz himself. Most all came with a story that was worth just about the same as the gun. I’ve never handles a genuine Fitz but I’m fairly sure he at least knocked the burrs off his bob jobs.

 

[mikerjf]

Fun video. Never would have occurred to me to bob a hammer with a mill!

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Ever since reading the book Shooting by J. Henry FitzGerald back when I was an impressionable lad, I've wanted a Fitz.

You know he wrote the book in 1930?

Shooting - Fitzgerald, J. Henry: 9781581606256 - AbeBooks

I prefer Louis L'Amour books.

 

[Tom K]

When they were cutting the hammer spur off with the Dremel, I could smell it!

 

[loc n load]

Thanks for posting the great video. Your revolver came out very well, you have some skilled folks in your shop. And now you have a unique,quality revolver you can be proud of.
The jeweled trigger & hammer give it added panache. In years past I have done my share of cutting, grinding & polishing on my own carry guns and know how time & labor intensive it is.
Always liked Fitz’s pragmatic approach to a carry revolver. The cut away trigger guard has always been controversial for some, but it was never intended for the masses.

 

[Warren Sear]

Get a rope!!!

Just kidding, but that makes me cringe.

I did enjoy the video though. Thanks for posting.

 

[AJ]

I prefer Louis L'Amour books.

I do too. Have read every one. Great books for deployments and such!

 

[JackM]

Enjoyed the video, and the background music. Regarding the cutaway trigger guard, one of the earlier gun writers, Skeeter Skelton maybe, said that when he handled a Fitz, or a copy, it felt like he was going to drop it. Anyway, nice work, gun and video.

 

[K Harris]

Thanks for the video. Beautiful Fitz Special!

 

[mikerjf]

<<The Lip Hold is very effective on wild women and some little men and consists of catching the loose flesh of lower lip between first finger and thumb, pulling outward and twisting if the straight pull should fail. Usually this hold is sufficient to lead a prisoner wherever necessary. It is usually as severe as before-mentioned lady will care to endure and may be the means of cutting short a needless conversation.>>

Fitz lived in different times… less needless conversation, I bet!

You can read his book here: Table of Contents for "Shooting" by J. Henry FitzGerald - Free

 

[Enzo Rules]

Great video. I think Friz would have been proud for your team’s workmanship

 

[T44spl]

Great Video and proof that American Craftsmanship is alive & well. I personally am Not a fan of Fitzing a gun but to watch the whole process unfold and the resulting gun is simply a work of art.
Thank you for sharing this with us. Btw what would your shop charge to do this to a prospective clients gun? While I may not do it, I'm sure there's no shortage of members who may consider Fitzing a gun.

 

[old bear]

Ever since reading the book Shooting by J. Henry FitzGerald back when I was an impressionable lad, I've wanted a Fitz.

Real ones modified by the man are rare, and prohibitively expensive when they do surface.

I inherited a Colt Official Police years ago that looked like it had been stored in a bag of hammers. Perfect donor gun.

So I brought it in to work a few weeks back, and let our team of gunsmiths go to work on it.

We made a video of the process and a bit of Fitz history, too. Thanks for looking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kQhNoUggAQ

THANK YOU, sir. That was a Large engine lathe the G.S was running. Loved the Hand fitting, and polish which is the sign of a true craftsman.

In honor of Hayworth and David

 

[Dashriprock]

Thanks, all -- really appreciate the feedback!

Cost to do this on a client's supplied revolver is in the $1,400 - $1,800 range dependent on options. Example: jeweling the trigger and hammer requires significant labor hours. If one were to opt for a nitre blue, standard blue, or polished trigger and hammer, the jeweling hours could be eliminated.

 

[Rustyt1953]

An outstanding video. It is obvious that a lot of work and detail went into it.

 

[rockquarry]

No one has mentioned the safety aspects of cutting away the front of a trigger guard. Are there any concerns here?