[Legion]

What is it and more importantly why?

 

[LimaCharlie]

Fitz


Fitz Special

 

[Adirondacker]

This was done to facilitate a faster first shot out of a holster.

 

[Legion]

This was done to facilitate a faster first shot out of a holster.

Is there any idea on what era this is from? I don’t understand how to read the serial numbers very well.

 

[Legion]

Fitz


Fitz Special

I’m looking at this as a gift for somebody that’s had a pretty bad day. But I wasn’t sure if the modifications devalued it? They are asking 150 which I think is fair, but again I have zero concept of what I’m looking at

 

[PandRFan]

The number you want is on the bottom of the butt. Looks like an early Military and Police. The cutting away of the hammer was to facilitate drawing from a pocket. The front of the trigger guard was for easy access to the trigger. It was the product of John Fitzgerald. He mostly worked on Colt revolvers.
Somebody else probably did the work on it. It was quite a popular modification back in the day.
Jim

 

[delcrossv]

$150 would be at the high end of value. It's a .38 Regulation Police from the late 'teens/ early '20's. Too bad Bubba got to it.

And it's .38 s&w, not .38 Special.

 

[Legion]

$150 would be at the high end of value. It's a .38 Regulation Police from the late 'teens/ early '20's. Too bad Bubba got to it.

I’m not looking to get the bargain of the century, but I’m trying not to over pay too terribly much. I bought him in 1906 last month and he loves it for the history and can’t wait to see where the paperwork comes back on it.

 

[delcrossv]

I’m not looking to get the bargain of the century, but I’m trying not to over pay too terribly much. I bought him in 1906 last month and he loves it for the history and can’t wait to see where the paperwork comes back on it.

Maybe it's a personal quirk but I avoid "modified" (and I'm being nice) guns. $150 got me this nice re-nickled M&P a few years back at my LGS.

YMMV, but I'd skip the Fitz.

 

[Adirondacker]

The cutting away of the hammer was to facilitate drawing from a pocket.

Like this: (Except a Chief's Special really is a pocket-pistol, which a M&P is not).

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I believe it is a .32 Regulation Police from 1919. The serial seems to be a 6 digit which would not be correct for a .38. Also, the location of the cylinder stop notches is between the flutes indicating a 6 shot. Someone has butchered it with a Fitz modification. Based on the condition I see, it isn't worth $150 and I recommend letting it go.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

Run don't walk away.

 

[delcrossv]

I believe it is a .32 Regulation Police from 1919. The serial seems to be a 6 digit which would not be correct for a .38. Also, the location of the cylinder stop notches is between the flutes indicating a 6 shot. Someone has butchered it with a Fitz modification. Based on the condition I see, it isn't worth $150 and I recommend letting it go.

Guy nails it. Not seeing the 6th digit threw me off. In any event, skip this one, you can get a better gun for that money.