New pistols to me.

[KrashKing405]

Man....that thing's cool factor is off the charts.

Thanks, grandfather used it for jack rabbits when he was out hunting.

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[Perplexed]

I've personally never seen an original Fitz without a front sight. I'm not sure that the grip frame has been modified, but it's tough to tell by the photo. Looks like a DIY job IMO.

 

[dlbleak]

Grandfather did it back when he was a kid, so yeah, DIY

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Man....that thing's cool factor is off the charts.

Yup

 

[ronny]

View attachment 133133

Funny. However, a little cold water never hurt a good story.

 

[HFS]

I've personally never seen an original Fitz without a front sight. I'm not sure that the grip frame has been modified, but it's tough to tell by the photo. Looks like a DIY job IMO.

Also, didn't Fitzgerald work for Colt for many years?
I don't know if any genuine Fitz specials were Smith & Wessons, but I'm just thinking out loud here.

 

[coolhandluke]

Also, didn't Fitzgerald work for Colt for many years?
I don't know if any genuine Fitz specials were Smith & Wessons, but I'm just thinking out loud here.

You are correct. Fitz Specials were special order non-catalogue Colt guns. What I do not know is if JH Fitzgerald ever performed custom work on S&W revolvers on a private basis. I honestly haven't researched his work much.

The style of cylinder lock-up/ release that S&W uses is not advantageous to this type of barrel length modification so he may have only worked on Colt guns.

 

[coolhandluke]

My brother is actually in the middle of building a similar revolver using a beater M1937 (Brazilian contract M1917) and a shortened Brazilian replacement barrel. The FS just needs permanently installed along with a yoke lock. I don't believe that he is going to do any conversion work on the grip frame though. The trigger guard will definitely not be touched.