This is an excellent example of a factory Fitz Special 1st Issue Colt Detective Special revolver. These so-called Fitz-Gerald Specials were hide away guns with the short barrels, cut away trigger guards, checkered triggers and cut away (bobbed) hammer. J. H. Fitzgerald, or "FITZ" as he was called, was employed by Colt from 1918 thru 1944, was Colt's Ballistic expert, Police training consultant and general PR man and firearms expert in the 1930s and 40s. He was one of the more flamboyant personalities in the company's history. He attended the Camp Perry National Matches every year where he would perform custom work on Colt revolvers. He also worked actively with law enforcement agencies to develop suitable new designs for handguns based on their specific needs. One of these unique designs was this "Fitz Special" style of revolver or cut-away pistol used as an early hide-away gun, that could be fired from inside a coat or suit pocket as the situation required. These revolvers were not standard inventory or catalogued items and were only manufactured for select law-enforcement and FBI agents based on personal requests. Fitz actually carried one of those pistols himself as a form of advertisement. His book "Shooting" which he published himself in 1930, is still a sought after text on the fast and fancy handling of the revolver. The left side of the barrel is marked "38 DETECTIVE/SPECIAL" and the right side has the two line address. The Rampant Colt is marked on the left side of the frame. Standard blade front and frame notch rear sights and fitted with checkered walnut grips with silver Colt medallions. The accompanying factory letter verifies the serial number, caliber, barrel length, blue finish with grips as "Not Listed", Special Features, "Cutaway configuration" and that it was shipped as 1 to Buckeye Cycle Company, Akron, Ohio on March 13, 1934.

Excellent. The revolver retains 95% original blue finish with some thinning on the heel of the back strap, some edge wear, minor pitting on the muzzle and left side of the frame, and some minor scattered spotting and handling marks. The grips are excellent with a couple tiny dings and crisp checkering. The markings remain crisp and clear. The action is excellent.