Author Topic: Fitz Special  (Read 2794 times)

Offline Bat 2919

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Fitz Special
« on: July 14, 2022, 08:26:04 PM »
My Colt New Service in .45 ACP has finally returned home from it's trip to the gunsmith.  I picked this one up at a gun show where it had been hiding on someone's table.  Sort of a humble looking thing, someone had cut the barrel off at about 3 inches but never bothered to reinstall the front sight.  It must have been ignored for multiple shows, it's owner was, shall we say motivated to move it along to someone new for a reasonable price. 

I had been considering having one one of my complete Colt New Service's cut down to a Fitz Special for some time but just couldn't bring my self to cut one of them down.  When I happened on this little guy I knew immediately what to do with it.

 
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Offline River City John

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2022, 09:03:14 PM »
So Bat, of course I'm curious about the name "Fitz" origin.
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Offline Bat 2919

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2022, 09:13:50 PM »
John,

We have "John Henry Fitzgerald" to thank for what has become known as the Fitz Spl. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FitzGerald_Special
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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #3 on: Today at 12:30:04 PM »

Offline Major 2

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2022, 06:10:27 AM »
I have to admit, I am truly intrigued and have a lust for a Fitz Spl.
Like you I might not cut down for one, but IF, I found an orphan as you did, I'd snap it up.
Very neat find  :)
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Baltimore Ed

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2022, 07:24:53 AM »
Here is my take with a pitted up .38 Smith. I did the work and had it parked. It has one of the smoothest actions of any of my revolvers.
"Give'em hell, Pike"
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Offline Story

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2022, 08:00:25 AM »
I've been intrigued by the originals over the years and regretted not snagging one when they were (relatively) cheap.

Last one I saw was a 1911 straight out of BOARDWALK EMPIRE - as always, makes me wonder about the stories behind it.

Offline Bat 2919

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2022, 10:02:29 PM »
This is a photo of this gun before it went in for conversion.
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Offline Major 2

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2022, 12:42:53 AM »
I may keep an eye for a donor gun  :-\

Maybe one of these ...
Smith & Wesson 10 Revolver, 38 Special, No Barrel, Blued, GSS, CAI Marked, Used, S&W.
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Price: $199.95

when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Baltimore Ed

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2022, 08:35:21 AM »
Now that’s a belly gun.
"Give'em hell, Pike"
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Offline Major 2

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2022, 09:03:13 AM »
Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver chambered in 38 Special, with no barrel. Features blued finish, round butt frame, and grips are usually wood. Will show duty wear and scratches on metal and grips. Ejector rod is for 2" length barrel, threaded not pinned. Hammer mounted firing pin. Most are -7 or -9 variation. Sold as a Gunsmith Special AS-IS, no returns, CAI import marked, Not C&R, Used.

https://www.jgsales.com/smith-wesson-10-revolver,-38-special,-no-barrel,-blued,-gss,-cai-marked,-used,-s-w.-p-104679.html?osCsid=b49723eaceb3be3cfc6529c271bd27cd
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline 1961MJS

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2022, 08:02:30 PM »
I don't know why, but I like a gun with a barrel...
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Offline Silver Creek Slim

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2022, 04:51:18 PM »
Whatcha need a barrel for ?

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Offline Bat 2919

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2022, 05:19:49 PM »
I agree that a little bit of barrel is necessary to stabilize the bullet.  In this case size matters, less is more with the Fitz Special.
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Offline Major 2

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2022, 05:40:38 PM »
I note that the price of that barrel-less S&W is now $50 higher @ $249.99

I was tempted at $199 but have procrastinated, now @ $250 I'm not a player.
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline River City John

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #14 on: November 30, 2022, 04:47:41 PM »
Ran across this info with pics:
"I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river I've been running ever since." - Sam Cooke
"He who will not look backward with reverence, will not look forward with hope." - Edmund Burke
". . .freedom is not everything or the only thing, perhaps we will put that discovery behind us and comprehend, before it's too late, that without freedom all else is nothing."- G. Warren Nutter
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Offline River City John

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #15 on: November 30, 2022, 04:58:30 PM »
Interesting Remington Model 8 rifle, too.
"I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river I've been running ever since." - Sam Cooke
"He who will not look backward with reverence, will not look forward with hope." - Edmund Burke
". . .freedom is not everything or the only thing, perhaps we will put that discovery behind us and comprehend, before it's too late, that without freedom all else is nothing."- G. Warren Nutter
NCOWS #L146
GAF #275

Offline Bat 2919

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #16 on: December 01, 2022, 09:44:07 PM »
Fitz videos for your viewing pleasure.



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Offline Bat 2919

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #17 on: December 13, 2022, 09:22:51 AM »
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Offline Bat 2919

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #18 on: December 22, 2022, 12:48:58 PM »
Here's part two of the Mag Life Blog if you were looking for it.

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/gunfighter-pistol-the-fitz-special-part-2/
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Offline DeaconKC

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Re: Fitz Special
« Reply #19 on: December 22, 2022, 06:02:21 PM »
Man, you are tempting me. We have two S&Ws at the shop that would be perfect for a Fitz project.
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