The making of a "New" Fitz Special

[whitecoyote]

I have for years been intrigued with the "Fitz Special".
Knowing that, even if I were to ever find a genuine Fitz Special, I probably would not be able to afford one.

Then I saw posts from Kevin Williams, JR Munsey, and others on different boards.
That got my wheels spinning. Why not make your own Fitz Special?
Well the quest was on for the perfect specimen.
I found a Colt Agent at a Police Equipment store. It was a Police trade in. Dates to 1968. The Agent was pretty beat up, but functioned perfectly.
I studied many Fitz Special pictures, this is the closest I could come to a real Fitz Special. The only thing I did not do was checker the cylinder release, and the top of the hammer.
Finally about a year ago I got the nerve to cut up the Colt.
Here's my story. Enjoy.

This is what the Colt looked like when I got it.

Finished bobbing the hammer, and smoothing it out.

Cutting the trigger guard.

Cutting the ejector rod,

It took many hours of cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing.
After I was satisfied with everything the Colt was sent off to Ford's in Florida for a "bright hard chrome" finish.
This is the result. The "New" Fitz Special.

 

[whitecoyote]

I have for years been intrigued with the "Fitz Special".
Knowing that, even if I were to ever find a genuine Fitz Special, I probably would not be able to afford one.

Then I saw posts from Kevin Williams, JR Munsey, and others on different boards.
That got my wheels spinning. Why not make your own Fitz Special?
Well the quest was on for the perfect specimen.
I found a Colt Agent at a Police Equipment store. It was a Police trade in. Dates to 1968. The Agent was pretty beat up, but functioned perfectly.
I studied many Fitz Special pictures, this is the closest I could come to a real Fitz Special. The only thing I did not do was checker the cylinder release, and the top of the hammer.
Finally about a year ago I got the nerve to cut up the Colt.
Here's my story. Enjoy.

This is what the Colt looked like when I got it.

Finished bobbing the hammer, and smoothing it out.

Cutting the trigger guard.

Cutting the ejector rod,

It took many hours of cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing.
After I was satisfied with everything the Colt was sent off to Ford's in Florida for a "bright hard chrome" finish.
This is the result. The "New" Fitz Special.

 

[blackrhino12]

Wow! Great looking revolver. I remember the Fitz Special but why would you remove the front of the trigger guard. I know the original did but we live and learn right?

 

[Deacon KC]

Cutting the front of the triggerguard away was to keep anything from getting in the way. These were designed to be used in the coat pocket.

 

[Hunt200]

That came out great, except it would make me nervous having it loaded in my pocket.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Looking good...great job!

 

[29aholic]

me likey

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I recall Charlie Askins was fond of cutting away the front of the triggerguard. I remember seeing a picture of his Colt New Service so altered and him wearing an S&W M-39 likewise. In
one of his pistols he advocates holding a "Fitz Special" tight against the upper body and using the edge of the free hand to work the trigger.
Again, looks nice.

 

[kmyers]

LOL. See my comment on the Colt forum. BTW that is a nice looking revolver.

 

[KeithCarter]

Congratulations, you have remade a very close version of a unique weapon, an interesting item for students of history.

But the word is HISTORY. Fitzgerald was a different kind of man that lived in a different day. Death and debilitating injury were more accepted then, when a cut on your finger could bring death from "blood poisoning".

But today we know we can actually live longer and better if we just are careful of what we are doing. I certainly hope you will not actually shoot your gun, much less carry it for protection, for it is UNNECESSARILY DANGEROUS.
History has shown us not to remove the blade guard from a table saw, and not to remove the trigger guard from a handgun, as the incidence of injuries go up when we do that.

You knew that all along, but possibly some of our new younger shooters might not.

Keithcarter
NRA Life

 

[beemerrider]

Nice Job! Your planning and patient execution are testimony to your professional approach on this gun. The hard-chrome and everything else on this pistol turned out well. Congratulations on a job well done.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

I certainly hope you will not actually shoot your gun, much less carry it for protection, for it is UNNECESSARILY DANGEROUS.
History has shown us not to remove the blade guard from a table saw, and not to remove the trigger guard from a handgun, as the incidence of injuries go up when we do that.

Lawd have mercy. While your @ it maybe you can figure out how to install a thumb safety.

Good looking & very nice piece of work. Be CAREFUL not to load this or any weapon and carry it coz HISTORY has shown us that lightning strikes can detonate explosive cartridges.

Speakin' o' Lightnin'...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...m1gk&feature=related

 

[moosedog]

Now that the legal department got through beating on you I'll say you did a nice job on replicating a classic.
I would not have a problem carrying that one in a pocket holster. None at all.
Fitz would have been proud of you.
If you want, you can use my copy of Fitz's book for a backgound in your photos instead of your wife's panties though.
Bring that one with you tonight, I'll catch up with you after the Hunter's Safety.

 

[sigp220.45]

I really, really like it - especially the fact you went whole hog and cut away the trigger guard. Very nice job! I'm thinking of doing the same thing to a refinished Smith 1917.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

As I stated above, "I like it!"

The only problem I have with your Fitz'd Colt is the influence.

I'm now tempted to Fitz my refinished and worn 1947 Detective Special.

 

[dkees]

Great job, a beautiful re-creation.

Expertise and attention to detail is obvious.

But remember....................don't shoot your eye out.....LOL.

 

[keith44spl]

Originally posted by whitecoyote:
I have for years been intrigued with the "Fitz Special".

After I was satisfied with everything the Colt was sent off to Ford's in Florida for a "bright hard chrome" finish.
This is the result. The "New" Fitz Special.

Man, I really like that...as for the trigger guard cut away...hell I got one in my pocket rat now without a trigger guard...have carried it for years.

You got this old hand to thinkin'... I'm a fixin' to build another one...

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[whitecoyote]

Originally posted by moosedog:
If you want, you can use my copy of Fitz's book for a backgound in your photos instead of your wife's panties though.

Well I thought it would make a better background than your panties!

 

[Nicksterdemus]

hell I got one in my pocket rat now without a trigger guard

Look out there! Yor one step from runnin' w/scissors n sniffin' white Elmer's glue...

 

[22dec]

Originally posted by moosedog:
Now that the legal department got through beating on you I'll say you did a nice job on replicating a classic.

Moosedog hit it right on the head. You replicated a classic and did a great job. Thanks for the pics of the steps you went through to get to the finished "Fitz Special".

Don