The Fitz Special: Art of the Gunfighter, Circa 1926

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6 жыл бұрын

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John Henry Fitzgerald was not the first person to cut down a revolver barrel, nor the first person to bob the trigger guard or hammer. But he was the person who put all these modifications together as a package and popularized it as a self-defense piece. “Fitz” was a former NYPD police officer, very successful competitive and exhibition shooter, and a gunsmith and representative of the Colt company from 1918 until 1944. He made somewhere between 20 and 100 Fitz Specials as part of the Colt custom shop, and inspired many more to be made by other gunsmiths.
The Idea was to have a gun that would carry easily, and not get hung up on clothing. The shortened barrel, bobbed trigger guard, bobbed hammer, and bobbed ejector rod all served this purpose, with the trigger guard removal also easing use of the gun with gloves on. With the exception of the trigger guard, all of these ideas have become commonly accepted and available on revolvers designed for concealed carry. The trigger guard, of course, is a bridge too far in today’s more litigious and safety-minded society…
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Пікірлер: 668

@EchosTackyTiki 3 жыл бұрын

That opening monologue is the greatest thing I've ever seen.

@colinjohnson8044 3 жыл бұрын

I didn’t understand a word and I love it

@colinjohnson8044 3 жыл бұрын

Also, we’re the only comments in the last two years, so hey

@royeick2991 3 жыл бұрын

YT just recommend this to me and I been watching for years

@LD-Orbs 3 жыл бұрын

@@royeick2991 I've only been watching this channel for a year or so. I just got the recommendation for this video now.

@Lalalunatix 3 жыл бұрын

@@colinjohnson8044 I just got it recommended, I guess its making the rounds lol.

@VorpalDerringer 6 жыл бұрын

The slang from the intro means: know one's onions = know your stuff. take wooden nickels = get fooled. eel's hips = bee's knees, something good. Big Six = a strong man, after a six cylinder car engine.

@jmmtcidc 4 жыл бұрын

“eel’s hips = bee’s knees” … OK BUDDY

@graham2631 4 жыл бұрын

23 skidoo was one l never understood.

@gonzo3915 3 жыл бұрын

Eels hips refers to easy to draw it sounds like to me, as in Eels have no Hips

@THESLlCK 3 жыл бұрын

LOL from the times when a 6 cylinder was the larger capacities one could find

@grzegorzbrzeczyszykiewic3338 2 жыл бұрын

i always though " big six " came after having a six pac .

@bitfreakazoid 6 жыл бұрын

So I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time. Now, to take the ferry cost a nickel, and in those days, nickels had pictures of bumblebees on 'em. "Gimme five bees for a quarter," you'd say.

@JohnLeePedimore 6 жыл бұрын

"You know I've got a son about your age".

@striderflys 6 жыл бұрын

Hey that was back in diggidy-seven. We had to say diggidy cause the kaiser stole our twos. .

@Laughing_Man-ws8ly 5 жыл бұрын

bitfreakazoid burns chose well in his choice of strike breakers

@NPepC 5 жыл бұрын

I'm reporting you

@KickyFut 5 жыл бұрын

Grandpa Simpson ramblings!😁 (Tongue-click) Noice! 👍

@Astilath 3 жыл бұрын

In the classic book "shooting to live" there is a drawing of the "perfect concealed carry pistol". Its basically this. So no surprise when Ian said Applegate got one.

@Em-Jayyy 6 жыл бұрын

Translation: "If you know your stuff, you won't take any shady things from people. You'll get yourself a Fitz Special. It's an excellent thing for a strong guy like you".

@stephencolley334 6 ай бұрын

Very nice translation, but if one can think and reason, it pretty much follows from the context.

@HunterKiller762 5 ай бұрын

It’s interesting how much our dialect has changed In little over a century

@bami2 6 жыл бұрын

I have no idea what happens in the first 7 seconds.

@jamwheeler 6 жыл бұрын

BIG MAC he has a beard too are you blind?

@myvids1415 6 жыл бұрын

Damon Runyan?

@juanglaser8113 6 жыл бұрын

Felling lucky Punk ? Do You ? Going John Henry Fitzgerald on ... Bang ! OK maybe Han Solo !

@RalphReagan 6 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@zxggwrt 6 жыл бұрын

bami2 if you know your onions, you're not gonna take any wooden nickels from nobody. You'll get your self a Fitz special. Just the eels hips for a big six like you.

@RK-dj1ry 6 жыл бұрын

William Fairbairn recommended a revolver pretty much exactly like this in his book Shooting to Live.

@John.VanSwearingen 6 жыл бұрын

Trigger guards are for squares, pal.

@Tridd666 6 жыл бұрын

John Van Swearingen I'm so square my trigger guard is square

@RockandrollNegro 6 жыл бұрын

Rubes were hillbillies, pal. Trigger guards are for saps, savvy? Get on the trolley, Daddy!

@nigelft 6 жыл бұрын

But, to use a favourite movie quote of mine, 'don't ever wear one whilst drunk, otherwise you will kill your feet ...'

@nf4866 6 жыл бұрын

Marvin Harrison Smith II I see you everywhere!

@bandccoresohio 5 жыл бұрын

Its double action no guard necessary

@Unsound_advice 6 жыл бұрын

The “Fitz” special wasn’t designed to be looked at or brandished, the end operator only had one goal when drawing this pistol. The end goal was to live. Finger already on the trigger, elbow tight to the body, and perfect point shooting to vanquish the foe on the other end of the short barrel. An era of gunfighters and not peacekeepers. These were the true forerunners to combat arms. Reading of their exploits is amongst the high holies of the modern pistolero. Thank you Ian for this amazing as always presentation.

@mattverellen5602 5 жыл бұрын

There were no SWAT units. Came down to man to man, and there were true warriors on both sides. Imagine if you will an era where say, in one weeks time, there would be the Norco and North Hollywood robberies, the Texas Seven breakout, a Jose Vigoa casino job and the Miami Massacre. That was the way of the early 30s

@mattverellen5602 5 жыл бұрын

The best Lawman hailed from southwest, remnants of the same culture of cowboy times

@jamesricker3997 4 жыл бұрын

I seriously doubt the majority of customers were law-abiding citizens. Remember this was prohibition and who exactly was in the most need of a concealed weapon at the time.

@baeo.wolffe5179 3 жыл бұрын

Well said!

@conmcgrath7174 8 ай бұрын

For sure, those guys didn't take aim? My grandfather once taught me how to shoot (I was 'shit-hot', could put two bullets in the same hole standing, with a rifle) but he kept saying no, no don't take aim, you're already dead? Don't punch somebody either unless you mean to kill them or make space to draw. and then kill them. His weapon of choice (necessity?) was a colt in 32. long. He said to get a 38 if I could but the 32 was gun enough for anybody.... We used to watch old gangster movies and he would piss himself laughing when somebody 'opened up' and fired all over the place, bottles and windows being the usual victims, he said 'if I had that gun with 50 rounds, there would be 20 men dead and I'd have a few left over for the way back'. A great man, didn't like to see wastage? Tuck it in and it will be pointing the right way? Of course I asked, when do you know to shoot somebody? He simply said, if they turn white, shoot them first before they shoot you, if they turn red, just punch them, they're already done, you have survived. Pax and respects, C

@dominicgray4479 3 жыл бұрын

I don't own a gun, but for some reason I find it fascinating and love watching this guy talking about all these different guns.

@johnschofield9496 11 ай бұрын

It's never too late to join the fraternity !

@petesheppard1709 6 жыл бұрын

FitzGerald, Askins, Applegate...it is nice to see the names of early gunfighting pioneers mentioned.

@petesheppard1709 6 жыл бұрын

So many...

@mattverellen5602 5 жыл бұрын

Charles Lindbergh another Fitz owner

@kenwintin3014 6 жыл бұрын

Ian, my uncle was a homicide detective in Jacksonville, Florida back in those days and carried a Detective Special Fitz. Don't know if it was a factory done job.

@JerryEricsson 6 жыл бұрын

Back in the 70's when I first began my police career, I met a Highway Patrolman who was very into competitive shooting. He showed me his "special" belly gun for that competition. It was a Colt DA revolver in .45 Long Colt, he had the barrel shortened to 3 inches, and had sent it in to have an "Armaloy" finish which left it looking like brushed stainless steel. The hammer was indeed bobbed like your example, and he had some custom grips in what appeared to be a sort black rubber. She was a beauty that Colt of his, and the double action was smooth as any Python or Diamond back that I have ever had, and believe me, over the years I have had a few of each.

@mrb692 6 жыл бұрын

If I’m being honest, that cutaway trigger guard doesn’t bother me all that much, if and only if it’s combined with the bobbed hammer as seen here. People often argue that revolvers don’t “need” mechanical safeties, since the 10 pound trigger requires much more of a deliberate effort to touch off than a modern ~5 lb striker. Combine that with a draw technique that has the index finger extended, and the idea of an open trigger guard doesn’t seem so far fetched.

@ronroberts110 4 жыл бұрын

I've read that some professionals who carried a pistol as part of their job had pistols like this. A common thing to have a tailor line a front pocket with leather, and you only put the pistol in that pocket, and nothing else.

@elementalist1984 4 жыл бұрын

Dont forget that now we have people who are so scared of accidental discharges that they dont trust the safety and want to carry semiautomatic pistols with an empty chamber...

@alexsis1778 3 жыл бұрын

I think the biggest risk with a cutaway trigger like that wouldn't be pulling the trigger with your finger because as you mentioned it does take some force. The real risk is snagging it on something with force (for instance missing the holster when trying to quickly put the gun away).

@RiderOftheNorth1968 3 жыл бұрын

The Fitz is as safe or safer than a Glock, given the same amount of basic firearms training.

@benn454 3 жыл бұрын

@@elementalist1984 Anything mechanical can fail.

@marcusborderlands6177 6 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah, I need Dem "eels hips"

@Jixijenga 6 жыл бұрын

Well head on over to e621 and have at it.

@doguhankaandemir5111 4 жыл бұрын

Monosodium glutamate?

@candidmoe8741 6 жыл бұрын

"I don't want people to judge him entirely by today's interpretation of this pistol". Wise words. Apply to many things.

@Itgetsbetterofficial 4 жыл бұрын

KuK137 modern progress should not wipe away yesterdays perspective

@bsdnfraje 3 жыл бұрын

@@KuK137 funny you should say that. You should look at the meaning of progress over the last millennium, and how it has changed. There still exist educated human beings who recognize you aren't very bright, but have very strongly held opinions.

@cmndr_superglue 3 жыл бұрын

@@KuK137 True, but it's also annoying when pretentious twats look down their noses at people 100 years ago just by virtue that they were born in a time when these lessons were already learned.

@meeperdudeify 3 жыл бұрын

@@Itgetsbetterofficial are you saying it does?

@Itgetsbetterofficial 3 жыл бұрын

@@meeperdudeify In the minds of some, absolutely.

@Buzbikebklyn1 6 жыл бұрын

Ian! Your know more about the art of the "Gat" than anyone I've ever seen. My father (God rest him) gave me 2 "Fitz like" revolvers, based on S&W .357's. 2" barrels, very nice trimmed down Magnum front sights, alike rear sights, bobbed hammers. He kept the trigger gaurds thow. His reference to the "Fitz" style of modifications always escaped me until right now when I saw this Vid. Congratulations! You just out triva'ed me. And that it brought me right back to when Dad gave me the set of prized .357's . Thanks.

@1972glm 6 жыл бұрын

That is very cool. Would love to see what those look like. What model S&W are they?

@burnsboysaresoldiers 6 жыл бұрын

Tom Miano what model where your dad’s Smith “fitz” .357? And how did he shorten the ejector rod wouldn’t a smith need the lock?

@Buzbikebklyn1 6 жыл бұрын

Hello Sam, The are model 19, 357's, with short rounded butts, and hand ground hammers that my Dad did himself, that actually have small "thumb grab" hammers. He trimmed the sights and had everything re blued. Very nice at 25 yards. Thanks for asking.

@Buzbikebklyn1 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Brendon, The model 19 don't have "open" ejector rods, they came with the short barrels. Hope that helps. Thanks for asking.

@Buzbikebklyn1 6 жыл бұрын

I stand corrected! (Don't ya just love this stuff Ian?) The .357's have 2.5" barrels. I had to go find my micromiter and measure the things. So Barndon, that why they don't have open ejector rods. They are covered by the barrel port. Hope THIS closes the investigation. LoL.

@Sn0wdawgz 6 жыл бұрын

Apparently, "wooden nickels" were not an acceptable substitute in the 20's.

@junkersintutus4282 6 жыл бұрын

Brewswillis What a bunch of tightwads right?

@ferdonandebull 4 жыл бұрын

Well.... it depended on the wooden nickel... See merchants gave wooden nickels that were worth something but only in their business. Whore houses have wooden tokens for a free poke. Bars gave them for free drinks. The trouble was these Nicole’s changed over time. The red then might be exchanged for a green token that was worthless. Or a specific business goes out of business. So if someone had a token “wooden nickel” for a free drink he might try to convince you to take it instead of money.. you would later find you just had a useless token...

@rashakawa 4 жыл бұрын

Ok that made me laugh

@gilbertgrape3329 6 жыл бұрын

Ian, great presentation! J.H. Fitzgerald penned a great book originally published in 1930 aptly named “Shooting”. It’s long out of print but of course, one can still obtain a copy of it. Fitzgerald was a pioneer well before his time and in reading, many stories and ideas are discussed! One story in particular, Fitz was behind a gun store counter, in walks two Federal “Suits”, a discussion was started on quick draw tactics, Fitz challenged the Feds to draw on him, before they knew it, Fitz had two large bores staring back at them! Pulled from his leather lined pants pockets!!!!!!! Amazing to say the least! It would have been an honor to be in his presence! Long live his memory and contribution to our beloved sport! Thanks again Ian, Brian. Lisbon Falls, Maine.

@donpaterson4476 6 жыл бұрын

I'm waiting for the blooper reel for the jazz talk .

@45auto82 2 жыл бұрын

I saw a video awhile back from the man who inherited Col Rex Applegate’s Colt Fitz Special. He got it with the Colonel’s original shoulder holster, which was a long rectangular thing that also had extra cartridge loops in the leather. Pretty amazing it was. Love these historic firearms and all the stories about them. Col Rex actually had to use his once (in a Latin American or S American country) to defend himself from an attacker…did not go well for the crook, he met some .45 Long Colt bullets from the business end that closed HIS business!

@blueukuleleofserenity5616 6 жыл бұрын

I have heard that the phrase "Don't take any wooden nickels" referred to carnival script. During the late 19th and early 20th century, a traveling carnival would arrive in town and immediately begin trading with local merchants using script in the form of wooden medallions or "nickels" that could be redeemed for midway rides and shows. The script was popular currency since everyone in town would usually attend the carnival. However, its value would plunge as soon as a rumor started that the carnival was planning to depart. The phrase "Don't take any wooden nickels " was a warning that the carnival was leaving town soon and the remaining script would become worthless. I'm curious if anyone else has heard that this is the origin of this phrase.

@blueukuleleofserenity5616 6 жыл бұрын

Also, I think the proper term is "scrip" and not "script", although I am seeing it used both ways depending on the source.

@Bikewer 6 жыл бұрын

I started my police career in the late 60s and there were still a few guys running around with these and similarly-modified “belly guns”. I had read Bill Jordan’s “No Second Place Winner” around 1965, and he approved of most of these modifications except for the cutaway trigger guard. He felt that this might disable the weapon if it were dropped or hit something, tying up the trigger. Instead, he recommended simply cutting away about half the material on the forward portion of the trigger guard. He too talked about firing the weapon single-action by “starting” the hammer back with the trigger and then thumb-cocking the rest of the way. I had a big S&W M1917 (.45 ACP) that I had modified in that manner... A pretty intimidating weapon but a mite on the bulky side. BTW, the local term for a “Roscoe” or a “heater” was “Popper” or simply “pop”. “We found a pop on that guy...”

@fredbecker607 Жыл бұрын

I carried a s&w 66 snubby with bobbed hammer and shaved trigger guard.

@scoe5908 6 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of that infamous 'Custom Glock' with the trigger guard removed

@stevensparks3126 6 ай бұрын

While working as an armed guard in the '80s there was a 5 screw S&W .38 M&P that was apparently Fitzed. It had an original 2" barrel and sight. I always wondered about that piece, having never seen mention of one in any book. Very cool .

@darthhodges Жыл бұрын

It occurs to me that leaving the back half of the trigger guard helps prevent things from getting stuck behind the trigger that might keep it stuck in a pocket keep you from firing the gun. The back of the trigger guard has a much smoother profile than the back of the trigger itself.

@garenosborn 6 жыл бұрын

Back when I was a teenager in the 80’s my rifle coach loaned me a detective special that had been given the full fitz treatment. My mom was getting stalked by a freak and we had no handguns in the house. It has been sterilized and he told me to throw it in the Columbia if I had to use it! It was a different time. Along with the pistol there was a holster. He told me to never carry it in my pocket. I remember that the gunsmith that did the work serrated the top of the bobbed hammer so you could in theory cock the hammer for a sa shot. Never tried though.

@XanltheCSG 5 жыл бұрын

You from Washington? The PNW was a much different place back in the day

@jerickman 5 жыл бұрын

I assume the situation with the stalker freak was resolved and all that?

@GoatDust 5 жыл бұрын

jerickman Shhh, no snitching.

@garenosborn 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it was. I caught him in the back yard and held him there till the police got there. Responding officer said “good job” as he was loading the dude into the back of the cruiser. Now if they saw a 16 year old with a burner handgun that kid would be arrested too. Times change so much in 30 some years.

@davidparry8514 5 жыл бұрын

GOOD JOB COACH.

@jackmoorehead2036 4 жыл бұрын

I saw a friends dads pistol in the 70s. It was a Colt New service in 45 LC. It had a 2 and 1/2 inch barrel bobbed hammer and cut away guard. Imhe was a police man in a mining town in SW New Mexico in the late 20s thru the 30s. Its in a colt factory cardboard box with a bill for modifications of $29.00. Paid by postal money order. I wondered about colt doing that and i think i finally got my answer. His has a super deep blued finish though. Thank you for this.

@RockIslandAuctionCompany 6 жыл бұрын

1920s slang is the bees knees. It puts 'em in a panic!

@criffermaclennan 6 жыл бұрын

That single action pull and break looked featherlight

@nealdavin3883 5 жыл бұрын

1930s who needs a trigger guard 2019 we need trigger guard ,transfer bar safety, hammer block, finger print scanner etc!

@Ideo7Z 4 жыл бұрын

1930s. Gunfighters 2010s. Lawyers

@Gieszkanne 4 жыл бұрын

This revolver has a transfer bar safty. You can see wenn he pulled the trigger and than released it the hammer moved back slightly.

@Taphenko 4 жыл бұрын

ah yes, famous finger print scanner gun

@ThatGuy-te9wh 4 жыл бұрын

finger print scanner, blood sample, penile identification, it needs to be charged, it takes a drug test....

@americangangster1911 4 жыл бұрын

@@Gieszkanne Don't all double action revolvers have that.

@thomasgibson8436 5 ай бұрын

Hey I know this is an old video, but I've just finally gotten around to watching it. I just wanted to take the time to thank you for never missing. Your content has always hit a consistent mark of education, information, and entertainment; surrounding a topic that not many can cover with the same politically impartial tone youve seemed to master. Thank you for all of the good, wholesome, gun-forward content.

@hamm6033 6 жыл бұрын

Once more, no bell. On the Fitz I believe men wearing gloves (fashion of the time) was a contributing influence for bobbing the trigger guard. I don't know where I read that, I have to many books, but it was in an article about Fitz and his revolvers. A lot of famous shooters bought the Fitz style revolver.

@july1730 4 жыл бұрын

I've seen expanded guards for revolvers quite a few times and even rifles, although I can't give a citation for why I'm thinking this but I believe elongated trigger guards are a very common design in Russia

@vizzy61 3 жыл бұрын

@July 17 well that simply makes sense, gloves would probably be more common in Russia than in the US, seeing as it's typically colder than a fair chunk of the states

@edherdman9973 3 жыл бұрын

@@july1730 I seem to remember that in connection with the famous .45 Russian Schofields' trigger guard.

@QuantumCat76 6 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised the front-sight isn't rounded off.

@TONYSESLCAFE 5 жыл бұрын

A rounded front site. No hangups and you have a site... It could be easily modified.

@DowntownDeuce2 5 жыл бұрын

At the time, it was common to sharpen the front sight to a razor sharp edge, this aided in weapon retention during Close Quarter battle. Massad Ayoob released a very similar reissue of that concept in the 1980s

@u.p.woodtick3296 4 жыл бұрын

Jaimy van der Horst me too, or gone all together

@MrDmitriRavenoff 6 жыл бұрын

The introduction made me worry that you were having a stroke. Then I realized it was just jive talk. ;) Neat video as always Ian.

@ditzylemmon5094 6 жыл бұрын

Dude so happy you did one for the fitz special!!!

@shittyfattits807 6 жыл бұрын

Love this channel so much. Never stop Ian.

@eljefe8564 5 жыл бұрын

Ian, you are amazing. Keep up the fantastic work! Thanks!!!

@SuperOtter13 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ian! That gun brought back a lot of good times spent in gun stores as a kid not tall enough to see over the counter.

@Devin_Stromgren 6 жыл бұрын

That may be the coolest video intro you've ever done. Also, as a Minnesotan I can tell you, winter gloves DO very much interfere with shooting most firearms, to the point of making most long guns and almost all handguns unusable.

@nimbly1693 6 жыл бұрын

Your production value is staggering these days. Super quality.

@zacharydevan4107 6 жыл бұрын

I'm surprised it didn't have a bird's head grip.

@PorcuPineAppleSauce 6 жыл бұрын

Thats a clever way to link to the gun info and the auction listing, good thinking!

@killersalmon4359 5 жыл бұрын

I heard one of the problems with the cut down trigger guard was that if you dropped the pistol, there was a chance that the little "spur" would get bent, jam the trigger, and basically prevent the gun from being fired. I've seen photos of "modern day" Fitz specials that had the trigger guard "slimmed" down at the front to allow for faster access to the trigger as a compromise to cutting off the front of the guard. I've wondered whether another compromise might be just to enlarge the trigger guard a bit.

@trentongoering5060 6 жыл бұрын

I have probably replayed Ian’s intro like a hundred time and still not tired of it!

@fredford7642 2 ай бұрын

Ian!, You did it again, a really good video on a rare and almost forgotten firearm. Thank you for a very good and educational video.

@Jamestruin 6 жыл бұрын

We still say "knowing your onions" where I'm from!

@myvids1415 6 жыл бұрын

Very common phrase in the UK .

@Jamestruin 6 жыл бұрын

Roland Harbord indeed, Dorset here but back on our farm in Bedfordshire we grew tons of the smelly bastards!

@ian-op5fv 6 жыл бұрын

James Smith how's life in the 1920's?

@Jamestruin 6 жыл бұрын

ian1493 1920s! 1820s more like!

@jeffreyplum5259 6 жыл бұрын

That gun was built to shoot, period. It was made to be drawn and fired, with as little as possible getting in the way. IT was made for experts, during the Roaring twenties. It t reminds me the movie "THe Good, the bad and the ugly. " The Quote " If you are going to shoot Shoot. If you are going to talk, Talk. " Marty Robbins sang about a bobbed single action " Bad 44 " in his song, "Mr. Shorty" . Definitely a piece from a more hard edged time, like a straight razor. I hope you find us many more examples of a gunsmith's artistry.

@BuckHelton 6 жыл бұрын

Actually, the gun Marty refers to is a Bass .44 Named after Sam Bass. It was a shopkeepers model SAA with a birds head grip.

@helvehammer7846 6 жыл бұрын

Born in '49 - I recall in the Old Days stuff was simple, straightforward and as subtle as a punch in the mouth.

@mikegrossberg8624 5 жыл бұрын

The line you're trying to give is "If you're gonna shoot, SHOOT! Don't TALK!"

@mikegrossberg8624 5 жыл бұрын

One of the BEST lines I've ever heard

@jdavidtruby 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ian, my grandfather left one of those behind and I've always liked it..

@andrewdabbs8393 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. The fitz gets mentioned in Shots Fired in Anger and Fairburn's book on gunfighting. Thanks!

@frankdn109 4 жыл бұрын

I can't find it now, but I remember reading a pamphlet authored by a British officer serving with the Hong Kong (or Singapore) police force, in which he described just such a gun. He advocated building it on a Colt New Service revolver, in .455 I imagine. But then he opined that it would be an ideal sidearm for the local police. I'm 6'1" and find most XL gloves a snug fit, and I can barely manage my New Service-framed Colt 1917. How that man expected a Chinese cop who probably stood 5'5" and tipped the scale at a manly 120 lb. was supposed to manage that gun, I cannot imagine!

@714jud 6 жыл бұрын

Great review as usual

@andrewhilton9889 6 жыл бұрын

The trigger guard was removed to save weight, as well as making a more compact package for deep concealment. Metal was also removed from the rear of the frame, as well as the grip frame. The first four revolvers in this series were numbered one to four, number five became the Keith No 5 revolver, arguably the most famous revolver of all time. (I still can't believe it went for only $80,000, I feel like such a fool for not going to that auction.)

@Cyan37 6 жыл бұрын

Looks amazing!

@brenthamby2155 3 жыл бұрын

The opening monologue was freakin awesome. Well done, Ian.

@ralphh4131 4 жыл бұрын

this is on the original cover of dr. no but the hammer is not ground down. also, fitz's book is online and it's very interesting to read.

@sqTake2 6 жыл бұрын

YT’s best channel, Superb work!!!

@commoncorysense1809 3 жыл бұрын

Ian, I recognize and respect the new channel concept to add the additional onion layer. Forgotten Weapons with their respective Forgotten Shooters!

@JohnLeePedimore 6 жыл бұрын

Great video Ian.

@benjaminfitzgerald7839 5 жыл бұрын

I can assure that , I've no recollection of making any guns.🤣

@zeroalpha4818 6 жыл бұрын

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORK OF ART.. WELL THOUGHT

@balancedfordaylight1 6 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite classic revolvers

@ObjectHistory 4 жыл бұрын

Great video- I really like that one

@jeffhreid 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorites. A product of its time.

@KapteinFruit 5 жыл бұрын

I love that piece. I can still see how it would be useful today.

@pri0r_t0_a_weekago...fukwi48 3 жыл бұрын

That’s a beauty right there

@justinriley8651 6 жыл бұрын

Still viable 44/40 Wow I'd carry it.

@fien111 4 жыл бұрын

"He understood the relevance of sights" I'm so god damn tickled by that line I can't even....

@mikehagan4320 4 жыл бұрын

Loved your opening quote! Having a 44-40 double action at the time would have made you well heeled. Interesting video!

@bretcalvin1534 6 жыл бұрын

Mine has a cutdown nickel for a front sight

@zxggwrt 6 жыл бұрын

Bret Calvin ha I have an old Smith and Wesson .38 top breaker and it has a half a buffalo nickel front sight, too! Great grandpa was a dentist. His 1917 .45 has a sheet of gold on the front sight. Not a thin sheet, either!

@FyremaelGlittersparkle 5 жыл бұрын

@@zxggwrt Please tell me that the gold was taken from teeth?

@zxggwrt 5 жыл бұрын

@@FyremaelGlittersparkle Ha! No. Dentists just have that kind of thing available for making crowns. It looks like it was snipped from a thick sheet.

@victortransport4375 2 жыл бұрын

I have one he or Colt made in 1923. It's a Colt Pocket Positive. The trigger guard is intact. I heard several were modified and shipped in 1923 like mine.. A Massachusetts motorcycle cop named Abe Rafferty used it as back up in Dedham, Massachusetts in the 1920's-40's.

@lewiszolna784 6 жыл бұрын

Hey Ian, I really enjoyed your video on the Ribeyrolles and found it very interesting. I've recently been looking at ww2 weapons (following the announcement of battlefield V ) and I came across the polish resistance submachine gun, the Blyskawisca ( lightning ) submachine gun and as I'm of polish decent ( my great grandfather was polish and fought for the Royal Air Force as a bomber pilot and became a veteran ) I'd find it most interesting to see you explain how the firearm that the Poles used to stave off the Nazi invaders whilst being occupied. It'd be immeasurably appreciated by me

@toolthoughts 6 жыл бұрын

the old time tactical piece playlist is gettin pretty pretty good

@muddlemann 6 жыл бұрын

From what I've seen, back in the day with heavy double action triggers, it was common to rest the finger on the trigger.

@chrisjones6002 6 жыл бұрын

The Taurus View is a modern gun similar to this but with a full trigger guard. Seems like an interesting idea, if they made a 6 shot in 327mag I would want one for sure.

@Gunners_Mate_Guns 6 жыл бұрын

Nice to see that Forgotten Weapons has seen a sudden flurry of new videos.

@ferdonandebull 4 жыл бұрын

I knew guys who carried guns like this. The trigger guard thing was done so you can wear gloves. But some guys hogged out the gun hand side the trigger guard. The hammer spur was a no brainer for pocket carrier. The front site was slanted at the front and back. Indexing a firearm was not heard. When you pulled it is was meant to go off. A pistol like this was meant to be a 10 foot sword..

@matthaught4707 2 жыл бұрын

I've seen guns from much later time periods (1980s or so) with 'semi-Fitzed' trigger guards, i.e. the guard is still there, just a portion of the front right side is relieved to allow the shooter easier access without removing the entire front of the guard. So the idea was still around for a while, albeit in a form modified to comply with more modern ideas of safety.

@snipermakedonski 6 жыл бұрын

The intro was amazing!

@g-dcomplex1609 2 жыл бұрын

you can see from the way ian holds this weapon that it's been hit with a series of buffing wheels to knock down any corners or sharp edges, except the front sight, to reduce friction when engaging this revolver from a concealed position, the front sight looks de-burred but not rounded out, here we have an altered pistol that the gunsmith responsible actually increased it's collector value, very cool.

@jessepitt 5 жыл бұрын

My dad was an Air Marshal in the seventies and he carried a detective special. He still has it and it’s basically been his only hand gun.

@Snowtail07 4 жыл бұрын

in Blue Bloods Commissioner Reagen (Tom Selleck) carries a Fitz Special, says it by name

@quiettime6871 3 жыл бұрын

Tom Selleck is a gun guy in real life.

@groofromtheup5719 4 жыл бұрын

DOA and presumably the hammer on an empty chamber probably make the trimmed gourd somewhat safer. The remaining gard segment probably does a good job of keeping a clothing snag from pulling the trigger further than the trigger pull..

@JGT-yd2wx 10 ай бұрын

Badass looking revolver

@stanneubert4911 6 жыл бұрын

I have read, in the American rifleman I think, that the revolver would be carried strong side butt forward so that it could be drawn upside down and fired with the little finger. A handful in a caliber starting with a 4 but maybe not so bad with a .38 special. Even now some revolvers have the front of the trigger guard thinned for quicker access.

@bobrees4363 6 жыл бұрын

The Colt New Service was just about the only thing that made an N-frame S&W seem small. Three things I would do differently-- 1. Use a Baughman type sloping front sight, and 2. Do away with the single action notch entirely and make it DAO. The third would be to just narrow the front of the trigger guard, as advocated by Bill Jordan (I think) if I really thought I needed more access to the trigger.

@evanalessi7837 6 жыл бұрын

You didn't mention Tom Selleck playing Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods carries a fit special it was mentioned in one of the earlier episodes also you did mention Fair band and Sykes both cable and I just won both thank you again for such a special reward lot of history behind those revolvers thank you

@patrickwaldron3984 6 жыл бұрын

I just love Ian McCollum, by the way Ian, I got a Forgotten Weapons sweater, and I just absolutely love it man! You are doing such a good job with the channel and everything associated with it. Even if you don’t know me, and even if I don’t know you to much Ian, I just love ya man! Pretty much all my knowledge of firearms and the history, mechanics, and just everything about them, has all come from you! I’m just glad I can click on your videos and then tell my friends and family all about what I learned in that video that I watched from you, you are amazing!

@Youtubefishdoc 6 жыл бұрын

I inherited a Colt diamondback with a 2ish inch barrel. What a great gun. I carry it regularly now.

@jacobishii6121 2 жыл бұрын

That's an intuitive,fast acquiring sight set up

@julianadeau7494 6 жыл бұрын

A+ on the class lingo... :D

@crossthreaded6867 6 жыл бұрын

That intro was amazing

@jakeroark570 4 жыл бұрын

That is slick I like it.

@hkadera 6 жыл бұрын

Really liked this video, especially as a .44 Spcl Bulldog fan.

@freddieellis8449 6 жыл бұрын

I still like the asp, especially the gutter-sight. Perfect low profile for quick acquisition.

@gunguide9201 5 жыл бұрын

Fast and easy to use.The same needs today.

@jeffkirchberg 6 жыл бұрын

"the eels hips" that's awesome

@Cacowninja 6 жыл бұрын

The partial trigger guard took me by surprise.

@Vladimir_4757 4 жыл бұрын

Oh dear God, the first 7 seconds...gives me flashbacks to the Ithaca Auto Burglars. He went from 1920's Gangster Gun Jesus to regular old Gun Jesus in those first seven seconds

@benzracer 4 жыл бұрын

Ian cracking himself up with that intro lol. Nice forgotten weapon.

@Slipprymongoose 6 жыл бұрын

It would be cool to see a video with this pistol and the asp and the other carry guns like them presented in order to see the changes through history to today where we have the sub compact carry pistols of today benefiting from what’s come before.