Who made this mod. 49???

[blacks2k]

I need help to identify the maker if my model 49. I has a flat silver finish and of the right hand side plate it has the words " Woodling Special". It has rosewood grips. The most noteworthy part is, the trigger guard stops at the end of the trigger! It does not connect to the front of the frame. Can anyone tell me anything about it or what it's worth??? Thank you.

 

[Flint Ridge]

Pictures would really help folks out, especially with something odd like what you are describing.

Oh and welcome aboard!

 

[Iggy]

Welcome to the forum.

We need to see some pictures of this one.

Sounds very very interesting.

 

[sheriffoconee]

Sounds like a Fitz'd 49 to me, from what he is describing

 

[Art Doc]

I cry when I see a gun with the trigger guard cut away. Fitzgerald may have been a talented exhibition shooter, and I know he is greatly revered by many people today, but I consider him to have been an idiot for butchering his guns that way. He inspired many folks to ruin a lot of nice guns.

What's it worth? IMO zero. I wouldn't take it as a gift. Sounds like some aftermarket plating as well. Another abomination.

 

[MP1983]

black2k, if you google "Colt Fitz Special" and click on images you'll see some examples...Fitzgerald worked for Colt in the 20's & 30's as memory serves me...his work is widely known and he has been copied by many (which I'm sure is the case on yours, apparently by someone named Woodling)

Fitz was a speed shooter and gunsmith for Colt who made guns for Texas Rangers & other LEO's, but we're talking before World War II...safety w/ a revolver like yours could be a real issue...don't carry it loaded until you have been thoroughly schooled on the pitfalls of its inherent ease of fire in such a configuration...in fact, unless you've been handling revolvers for the last 25 years or so, I wouldn't recommend carrying it loaded at all...it could make a nice nightstand gun though, I guess...

on value, I can only guestimate, but I'd pay $250 to $300 if in excellent condition, someone else who really likes the custom chop may pay $350 or slightly higher...

the thing w/ so-called customizing guns in such a fashion, it usually only hurts the value -- in effect, spending money to decrease its overall value...whoever did would have known that (somewhat) but just really thought it was a cool idea...some people like the Fitz effect...you can just reach in your coat pocket and start blasting away without worrying about getting your finger cought up in the trigger guard...but as you might guess, no gun maker today would dream of putting out a gun like that 'cause first time some fool shoots himself cramming it down in their pocket - they're gonna wanta sue somebody!

anyway, hope this helps...and welcome to the forum...

 

[Malysh]

The modifications would certainly devalue a flat latch Centennial.

And it's a given that the factory wouldn't "Fitz" a trigger guard.