Does anyone here own an authentic, documented Fitz special? I've never seen one except in pictures, but used to run across other cut-down snubbies "in the style of Fitzgerald." Any Colt collectors out there know the going price for a real Fitz special?--Leigh
Fitz special
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I have handled several, but don't own one (although I've made my own.) Two years ago I saw one built on an Official Police .38 frame, nickel plated, and in the original box with a factory letter. So far as I could tell it had never been fired. Asking price was $800.00. A nickel plated "Fitz" might have been unique.
The number made by Colt is in the low hundreds I believe, as they were a special order item and never cataloged. Most were made for law enforcement people who knew Fitzgerald personally. Perhaps the most famous one was owned by the late Col. Rex Applegate, who carried it during the time he was assigned to the White House Security Detail following Pearl Harbor in Dec. 1941. His was a .45, built on a New Service frame, but most of them were .38's
They were intended to be carried in a side-pocket - either a specially modified pocket or a holster. Some people take a dim view of cutting out the front of the trigger guard, but if you ever try drawing one from a pocket the light bulb in your head will go on. I have never heard of an "unexpected" discharge happening with one of these guns when they were carried properly. Then too, most of their owner's were very savvy gun handlers.
Then there's the old wives' story about the trigger getting blocked if the gun is dropped and the trigger guard is bent up. I suppose this could happen if the revolver was cocked, (which is most unlikely) but not when it’s in the forward position.
In terms of current guns, Smith & Wesson's don't lend themselves to this kind of conversion very well because of the location of the cylinder-stop spring. However Taurus revolvers don't have the spring in the same place and can easily be modified.
The number made by Colt is in the low hundreds I believe, as they were a special order item and never cataloged. Most were made for law enforcement people who knew Fitzgerald personally. Perhaps the most famous one was owned by the late Col. Rex Applegate, who carried it during the time he was assigned to the White House Security Detail following Pearl Harbor in Dec. 1941. His was a .45, built on a New Service frame, but most of them were .38's
They were intended to be carried in a side-pocket - either a specially modified pocket or a holster. Some people take a dim view of cutting out the front of the trigger guard, but if you ever try drawing one from a pocket the light bulb in your head will go on. I have never heard of an "unexpected" discharge happening with one of these guns when they were carried properly. Then too, most of their owner's were very savvy gun handlers.
Then there's the old wives' story about the trigger getting blocked if the gun is dropped and the trigger guard is bent up. I suppose this could happen if the revolver was cocked, (which is most unlikely) but not when it’s in the forward position.
In terms of current guns, Smith & Wesson's don't lend themselves to this kind of conversion very well because of the location of the cylinder-stop spring. However Taurus revolvers don't have the spring in the same place and can easily be modified.
I've seen ONE. Not documented, asking price was more than I could afford. it was a chopped New Service 45, in nickel.
Even if it wasn't a real Fitz, it was one unreal looking revolver.
Even if it wasn't a real Fitz, it was one unreal looking revolver.
Gordon
Member
I recently sold a early non-Colt manufactured ' Fitz Special' . .45 acp on a New service frame , kinda round Colt walnut checkered stocks on semi rounded frame butt, cut away front trigger guard, 2" barrel (a little longer than 2" because cut even with crane lug) high round front sight(to hit correctly0 action job(9# DA and SMOOTH) and the butt was LEAD WEIGHTED! My gun was made for a General right after WW2 and was well finished and pretty cool . It fetched $1200 after about 4 months. on display with a US marked custom holster ( the general wore the damn thing thru Korean War - this was documented with letter. The old Kings Gun Sight co. did the fine work. Capt Hardy made the holster in Beverly Hills! I still have a nice (hint ) 2" barrel with proper sight and a old set of Stag grips for a .45 New service!
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