Very Sharp Pre-War Colt Woodsman Sport Model 1st Series Semi-Automatic Pistol & Matching Box, MFD 1941 C&R

SOLD FOR:$2,307
LSB#: 150320MC10
Make: Colt
Model: Woodsman Sports Model First Series
Serial Number: 152482
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT”, “AUTOMATIC / CAL. .22 LONG RIFLE” and with the Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame at the chamber is marked “THE WOODSMAN”. The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT’D DEC. 22, 1903. AUG. 27, 1918. SEPT. 3, 1918.”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “8” and with a “VP” in a triangle, and the right side is marked “49”. The front strap is marked “152482”.
Barrel Length: The barrel is 4 ½” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade pinned into a slotted base on the barrel and adjustable for elevation. The rear sight is a flat tapped square notch dovetailed into the slide and secured with a set screw.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The checkering shows light wear and is still sharp to the touch. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is a tiny mark on the right side of the barrel next to the front sight, two light marks on the back of the frame below the slide, and a few small marks in the front strap. The slide serrations, safety knurling and magazine release serrations are sharp. The heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 10 round magazine and a factory box. The magazine floorplate is marked “COLT WOODSMAN / CAL. 22L.R.”. The magazine is blued. The front edge of the magazine and the front and rear edges of its floorplate show thinning. The magazine is in Excellent condition. The box is cardboard with a dark purple vinyl looking finish, a section of which is attached to the back of the box to serve as a hinge for the lid and bottom piece. There is a label on one end of the bottom section which correctly identified the make, model and caliber of this pistol and another label on the top marked “4 ½ INCH BARREL / Adjustable Sights”. The bottom of the box is marked with the serial number of this pistol in pencil. The corners and edges are frayed. One end panel of the lid is torn on both corners. The hinge is intact. The inside of the box shows abrasion from the sights. The box is in about Good condition. Included with the box is an instruction sheet with parts list and schematic, a test target and a “Special Instruction” sheet from Colt on cleaning the pistol. The test target shows a 5 shot group shot at 15 yards of about 0.92” edge-edge.
Our Assessment: The Colt Woodsman was made in three different series starting in 1927. Of note is the fact that Colt changed the magazine release from the bottom (1st Series) to the left side (2nd Series) and then back again to the bottom in the 3rd series. This pistol is a 1st Series Sport Model Woodsman that was made in 1941 after the main spring housing change to accept high-velocity ammunition. The pistol is in Excellent condition with about 99% of its original finish remaining. It shows a few light marks scattered around the barrel and frame. The checkering on the walnut grips is still sharp to the touch and the bore is bright with sharp rifling. This is a VERY nicely preserved pistol for being over 70 years old. There were fewer of the Sport Model pistols made than the Target Model, and even fewer with the optional target front sight. A Sport Model in this nice of a condition with the adjustable front sight and original factory box with paperwork is going to elicit a lot of is interest by the Colt collectors out there.