This video provides a detailed tribute to the FitzGerald Special, a historical snub-nosed revolver concept pioneered by John Henry Fitzgerald of Colt Firearms. It explains the modifications made to standard Colt revolvers to create a Fitz Special, including shortening the barrel, modifying the hammer and butt for snag-free drawing, and altering the trigger guard for quicker acquisition. The description highlights its significance as the precursor to the modern snub-nosed revolver and the prototype for the Colt Detective Special. It also mentions notable individuals who carried Fitz Specials, such as Colonels Rex Applegate and Charles Askins, and figures like Charles Lindbergh and Clyde Barrow.
This "From the Vault" video from Brownells showcases a pristine, early production M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) from 1918, found at Rock Island Auction Co. Gunsmiths Keith Ford and Caleb Savant delve into the BAR's history, highlighting its intended 'walking fire' tactic, its role as a precursor to modern Squad Automatic Weapons, and its unique features like a shorter buttstock and lack of a bipod on early models. The video also details the specialized belt rig for hip firing, the safety-selector design, and historical anecdotes, including its limited WWI deployment and later use by Clyde Barrow. The rarity of an early M1918 BAR, potentially handled by John Moses Browning himself, makes this a significant historical piece.
This video from Brownells Gun Tech Keith Ford features a rare civilian Browning BAR and a Colt Monitor R80, both showcased at Rock Island Auctions. The civilian BAR, a fully automatic firearm legal before the 1934 Gun Control Act, is highlighted for its historical significance and association with notorious figures like Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The Colt Monitor, developed as a law enforcement response to the BAR's criminal use, is presented as a more compact and maneuverable variant with a pistol grip and Cutts Compensator. The video notes the rarity and high value of these historical firearms, emphasizing the Monitor's connection to the shootout that ended Bonnie and Clyde's lives.
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