Sidearms & Scatterguns Do you know about the Fitz- snub nosed colts?

[hermosabeach]

http://www.guns.com/2015/09/02/fitz-colt-snub-nosed-revolver-benchmark/

I was completely unaware of this bit of Colt History... the Flitz modified Colt Snub nose


Snip- full story in link

Around 1926, Fitz began customizing both full size New Service, Police Positive, and Police Positive Special models to make them small concealed handguns, much like Colt’s then new Detective Special. This modification included shortening the barrel to two inches or less, fitting a new front sight, removing the hammer spur and carefully checkering the top of the now bobbed hammer, shortening the grip, and—unique to this type—cutting away the front 1/3 of the trigger guard and rounding off the now open edges.

 

[hermosabeach]

 

[pmclaine]

Yes it was Glock leg before there was Glock.

Might be suitable for the highly trained individual that needed one but for anyone wanting to be one of the cool guys probably not good mods.

My local GS has a 1968 Agent in about 95% condition for less than $800. My heart lusts for it.

 

[Basher]

Yep, local smith used to do Fitz mods for people, but I don't think he's in business anymore. Pretty neat bit of history though!

 

[Mike 556]

Pretty slick looking, but that's an AD waiting to happen! I'd stick with a Python.
Mike

 

[sandwarrior]

Pretty slick looking, but that's an AD waiting to happen! I'd stick with a Python.
Mike

You would normally think so, except it was carried "hammer down". The long harder pull nearly negates the chance of an AD. Fitz' customers also usually sprang for some custom leather to holster these. It just makes it a whole lot more dependable as a close range shooter under most any conditions.

You only pulled the hammer back if you wanted to target shoot. This was not altogether easy as the hammer is a stub. Albeit checkered.

 

[Mike 556]

.

You would normally think so, except it was carried "hammer down". The long harder pull nearly negates the chance of an AD. Fitz' customers also usually sprang for some custom leather to holster these. It just makes it a whole lot more dependable as a close range shooter under most any conditions.

You only pulled the hammer back if you wanted to target shoot. This was not altogether easy as the hammer is a stub. Albeit checkered.

Your right. For some reason I was thinking of a striker fired pistol, not a revolver. I once had a Ruger SP 101 with some action work and a bobbed hammer, nice shooter. For whatever reason I got rid of it, wish I had it back.
Mike

 

[pmclaine]

The danger is in reholstering.

In the heat of the moment, stressed out, it better be "nuthin but net" or gross motor skills become your enemy.

Not shitting on it if I remember right the man that needed it, needed it and was a professional.

 

[Downtown]

Yes, a cool piece of revolver history. Had to be done so the remaining trigger guard was slightly ahead of the trigger. Otherwise a bent guard blocked the trigger. There is a lot of fantastic history of the men who mastered revolver fighting in a era when it really mattered. Jordan, Skelton, Askins, many other men, my hat is off to you.

 

[Unknown]

It might make more sense if someone could give examples of where the front of the trigger guard actually hurt anything. The bobbed hammer I can understand, but not the need for removing the front half of the trigger guard.

 

[RTH1800]

The idea came and went fairly quickly for obvious reasons.
Fitz was the guy Colt sent to Camp Perry to smith at the NM. Very well known in his era. You will see his name on some of the Colt test targets from the pre war era. Not sure when he retired but no later than '40 I think. It was announced in the American Rifleman.
You will also occasionally see a Colt box with Fitz or Selected by Fitz in red crayon. Those guns bring a premium. More so if the gun is otherwise special ordered or selected.
Fitz also wrote a small book about pistols and revolvers. Talked about carrying, shooting, sighting, adjustment, special order features etc. I have a copy and saw it the other day. Like many men who know a lot, he was seemed very narrow in his views. Interesting reading.

 

[Strykervet]

The danger is in reholstering.

In the heat of the moment, stressed out, it better be "nuthin but net" or gross motor skills become your enemy.

Not shitting on it if I remember right the man that needed it, needed it and was a professional.

That's correct and it did have it's issues. I recall seeing this a while back, I think a guy had one made? It's unique but certainly not for me. Cool find. DAO would be the only way you'd really wanna use it for sure.

 

[pmclaine]

http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/article_archive/results/details?id=5881

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I've looked for a 'real' one for years. There are lots of garage-built clones out there. But a real Fitz is a find! His level of workmanship was amazing. Most were sold to LE and detectives. Most of them who were dealing with the worst of the worst... I never heard of an AD happening with them. The guys who had them generally knew what they were doing.

Great thread!!!

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[pmclaine]

This just makes me want to buy that 1968 Agent more.

Similar to this but better condition....

 

[GoatPilot04]

Wow learn something new every day. I'm a history nut and little niche stuff like this gets my attention. Cool find thanks for sharing!