Army Special Fitz .38

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I've been interested in doing a Fitz Special for some time, and recently I found a 1924 Colt Army Special in .38 Special that was the right combination of trashed and mechanically sound.

About 50% blue, minor pitting, missing the ejector finial and a screw. It was dirty, by which I mean there was dirt in the cylinders and bore. Like pick-up-off-the-ground dirt. But it locks up tight, has no end-play to speak of, tight cylinder gap. Trigger was OK but not spectacular for an old Colt.


Popping off the sideplate revealed... more dirt and most of a century of accumulated gunk. I detail sripped the gun, cleaned it thoroughly and set to work. The result has a 1-3/4" barrel sporting a new front sight made from the old gun's front sight, a reshaped grip-frame and grips, bobbed the hammer, cut the trigger-guard and reshaped the frame.


Later this spring when I am set up to hot-blue I'll strip and refinish the gun properly, but the results with Van's Instant Blue look pretty decent.

I won't argue the merits and dangers of cutting the trigger guard; the idea was to do a reproduction of a Fitz Special and they have cut trigger guards, so so be it.

Quite happy with how this has come out, and I hope to get it to the range tomorrow.

 

[Jenrick]

Looks good!

 

[Mizar]

Nice job as always! But, if I may offer a couple of unwanted comments - the back of the hammer on the original guns was slightly rounded and the hammer top was checkered - either diamond, or straight.

P.S. That Phillips screw sure adds some class to that revolver!

 

[chicharrones]

What a great lookin' Fitz, MTP!

 

[chicharrones]

P.S. That Phillips screw sure adds some class to that revolver!

That's not a Phillips screw! That's a trademark! Lol.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

That's not a Phillips screw! That's a trademark! Lol.

The philips is only there until the proper replacement arrives. Yes, the back was rounded and to top of the hammer serrated- nits nicely picked. This may happen- or I may just leave it as is. Think of it as an homage rather than a reproduction, lol

 

[BobWright]

Neat job! You should consider taking this up as a hobby.

Bob Wright

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Awesome Job, Id have no problem carrying that thing with some semi wadcutters and dispatching a few of those darn pesky squirrels always getting into the birdfeeders. Any plans on carrying it?

 

[bikerdoc]

Not a fan of the Fitz but that is a nice piece of work. You have patience and talent.

 

[1KPerDay]

Nice looking roscoe

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Awesome Job, Id have no problem carrying that thing with some semi wadcutters and dispatching a few of those darn pesky squirrels always getting into the birdfeeders. Any plans on carrying it?

I might- seems like it would be a good coat-pocket gun. If I do I'll likely carry Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHPs... though I have loaded some 173gr. LSWCs for it.

 

[horsemen61]

Op nice Gun I like it a lot!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The philips is only there until the proper replacement arrives. Yes, the back was rounded and to top of the hammer serrated- nits nicely picked. This may happen- or I may just leave it as is. Think of it as an homage rather than a reproduction, lol

Looks good! The screw draws the eye, doesn't it?

Kinda like the safety lever screw on a S&W 645.....can't believe the factory put it there, but they did....

 

[mnrivrat]

I have a S&W 1899 Model that has been Fitz'd a long time ago. I'm not fond of the cut trigger guard but that is the way it came to me. Hammer down on an empty cylinder for carry , but I mostly just take it out once in awhile and shoot the cobwebs out.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Nice! I have been thinking of having one done up myself. Always looking for the "right" base gun. If anyone has a lead on one that has already been done please drop me a line.

Have also been thinking about using a Ruger (yes, I know, very wrong) as the trigger assembly comes out on those so one would simply need a trigger pack to modify but could return it to original condition with a 2nd trigger pack.

 

[gasmandave]

I've been interested in doing a Fitz Special for some time, and recently I found a 1924 Colt Army Special in .38 Special that was the right combination of trashed and mechanically sound.
View attachment 780207
About 50% blue, minor pitting, missing the ejector finial and a screw. It was dirty, by which I mean there was dirt in the cylinders and bore. Like pick-up-off-the-ground dirt. But it locks up tight, has no end-play to speak of, tight cylinder gap. Trigger was OK but not spectacular for an old Colt.


Popping off the sideplate revealed... more dirt and most of a century of accumulated gunk. I detail sripped the gun, cleaned it thoroughly and set to work. The result has a 1-3/4" barrel sporting a new front sight made from the old gun's front sight, a reshaped grip-frame and grips, bobbed the hammer, cut the trigger-guard and reshaped the frame.
View attachment 780208 View attachment 780209 View attachment 780210
View attachment 780211
Later this spring when I am set up to hot-blue I'll strip and refinish the gun properly, but the results with Van's Instant Blue look pretty decent.

I won't argue the merits and dangers of cutting the trigger guard; the idea was to do a reproduction of a Fitz Special and they have cut trigger guards, so so be it.

Quite happy with how this has come out, and I hope to get it to the range tomorrow.

Mike,
Did you make it DAO also or can you still cock it for single action? I had a Smith&Wesson M66 that a gunsmith bobbed the hammer but you could still cock it (carefully) and fire it single action.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Beautiful pistol for the tucksman's breeches! Congrats.

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

I'm lovin' it! Another "new" version of a snubnose classic!

 

[CajunBass]

Not bad...Not bad a'tall.

 

[cowboy77845]

I saw a guy carrying a similarly modified New Service in 45 Colt back in 1967. I had just returned from Viet Nam. I believe that was a popular modification back then.

 

[BSA1]

Shame to see another classic handgun chopped up especially with trigger guard cut-off.

 

[mnrivrat]

Only Colt made some of these as a factory special order, I believe in the 1930's. You will find both Colt and Smith & Wesson guns that were gunsmith modified but I don't think it was a wide spread modification and most were done pre-war when Fitzgerald was still around. (best of my recollection anyway)

 

[WC145]

Shame to see another classic handgun chopped up especially with trigger guard cut-off.

Another beat up, worn out, 'classic handgun' with zero collector value. I'm glad to see some life put back into it.

Great job, OP!! I don't think you should reblue it, it has the perfect look just the way it is. You've almost inspired me to Fitz my old 1909 Colt Police Positive Special that got chopped to 2" sometime in it's 100+ year lifetime.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Mike,
Did you make it DAO also or can you still cock it for single action? I had a Smith&Wesson M66 that a gunsmith bobbed the hammer but you could still cock it (carefully) and fire it single action.

It can still be cocked- carefully! I'll be getting some checkering files this spring, and then I will either checker or serrate the top of the hammer as was done on the originals.

 

[buck460XVR]

A prime example of Red Green's logic....... If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy".

Nicely done sir, you have a great talent!