Sheriff's Tips: The Fitz Special—A Defense Gun from Yesteryear

by
posted on September 7, 2017
fitz_lede.jpg

Image: One of the “FitzGerald Special” Colt New Services authenticated the book, Colt New Service Revolvers, is No. 335402 that was destined for the Des Moines Police Dept. in Iowa.

One of the most interesting gun guys from the years before World War II was a fellow named J.H. FitzGerald. Fitz, as he was called, worked for Colt Firearms from 1918 to 1944. He worked at gun design for the company, represented Colt and repaired guns at the major shooting matches, and put on exhibitions of fast draw ... using Colt handguns, of course. His most interesting contribution to defensive handguns was his development of the Fitz Special. 

 
Images courtesy Bob Boyd, Shooting Illustrated

Sometime around 1925, Fitz decided to customize the Colt Police Positive, .38 Spl., by shortening its 4” barrel to 2”, rounding off the square butt, and installing a new front sight. He also bobbed the hammer spur so that it would not snag on concealing clothing during the draw. But the most noticeable custom job was that he also cut off the front half of the trigger guard.

Now I'm not sure that Fitz came up with the idea of cutting off the trigger guard all by himself. I have seen very early Colt single actions that had been given the same modification. Some liked it because they believed it allowed faster access to the trigger in a quick-draw situation. Others thought it was a good idea because they could run their gun while wearing gloves in cold weather. Regardless of the reason, it became the easily identifiable mark of the Fitz Special. 

FitzGerald made up a pair of Colt Police Positive revolvers for concealed carry. But he didn't stop there. He also modified a pair of Colt New Service revolvers, in .45 Colt, in the same manner. I am told that Fitz carried one pair, or the other, every day for his own personal defense. He also used the guns in his popular shooting exhibitions and many other shooters decided to have their defensive revolvers modified in the same manner.

Colonel Charles Lindbergh is reported to have carried a Fitz Special in .38 Spl. Charles Askins is known to have had several Colt New Service revolvers similarly modified, in .38 Spl, .38/40, and .44/40, during his years with the Border Patrol and, later, during his service in World War II. Texas Ranger Captain M.T. “Lone Wolf” Gonzaullas had a pair of highly engraved Colt 1911s with the trigger guards cut off, as well as a pair of Smith & Wesson revolvers in .44 Spl. 

FitzGerald only performed these modifications on Colt revolvers, so far as anyone has been able to find out. And it is quite difficult for today's collector to identify a gun that was actually modified by FitzGerald due to the lack of information in the Colt records. Undoubtedly, many other gunsmiths of that era copied the technique and delivered “Fitz Specials” to their customers. Interestingly, it was Fitz cutting the barrels to 2” and rounding the butts that eventually led Colt to introduce the popular Colt Detective Special. 

Now, let me be very clear, I don't think that cutting off the trigger guard is a good idea. In fact, it could be dangerous due to the fact that the role of the trigger guard is to protect the trigger from unintentional discharges. My advice is  ... don't do it.

In addition, Border Patrol exhibition shooter Bill Jordan showed us that it wasn't necessary. Bill had hands the size of the paws on a young grizzly and did some great speed work without having to thus butcher the trigger guard on his revolvers.

For all that, I find the Fitz Special to be a very interesting defensive handgun. It harkens back to the days of those pre-war gunfighters who fought gangsters and outlaws. One of these days, I am going to have a Colt Detective Special done up as a Fitz Special ... not to carry for personal defense, but just to add to my collection as a memento of the gunfighters of that great generation. Besides that, I'll just bet that old FitzGerald was a real corker and a man worth knowing.

Additional Reading:
The Fitz Special
Perfect Fitz 

Latest

Ruger 75th Anniversary logo with guns 10/22 rifles carbines
Ruger 75th Anniversary logo with guns 10/22 rifles carbines

Ruger Celebrates 75th Anniversary With More Limited-Edition 10/22s

Ruger has created four 75th Anniversary Ruger 10/22 models, adding special touches that make an already firearm into something special and timeless.

Preview: Origin Concealed Carry Wallet

Origin’s Concealed Carry Wallet is a slim way to carry up to six cards and cash, and it’s made in the USA.

Howa Launches New Super Deluxe & Superlite Rifle Models

Howa USA launched a series of new bolt-action rifles in 2024, including an even lighter Superlite, as well as a nicely outfitted Super Deluxe model.

Favorite Firearms: “Show Me A Carbine With Real Power And I’ll Buy It!”

From the October 2024 pages of American Rifleman, NRA member, John Allen Pritchard writes about a rifle he's carried and hunted with for over 50 years.

I Defend The 2nd: Royce Gracie

Royce Gracie is one of the most successful and influential mixed martial arts fighters of all time. He's also one of the biggest supporters of the Second Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms.

Gun Of The Week: Walther PDP Pro SD 4.6” Compact Two-Tone Tan

The Walther PDP Pro SD 4.6” Compact in Flat Dark Earth, as seen here, comes as a fully featured 9 mm semi-automatic that’s designed for everyday carry.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.