Custom Colt 1st Series Woodsman .22 LR Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1932 C&R
Sold For: $1,326.12
LSB#: 220622DA010
Make: Colt
Model: Custom Woodsman 1st Series
Serial Number: 84991
Year of Manufacture: 1932 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (the checkered backstrap indicates that high velocity ammunition should NOT be used in this pistol)
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 a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame is marked “THE WOODSMAN”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “W” and with “VP” in a triangle, the right of the trigger guard is marked “99”. The front strap is marked “84991”, marked again on the bottom of the slide. The cap of the barrel weight assembly is marked “KING / PAT. PEND.”.
Barrel Length: 6 1/2?, with King adjustable barrel weight assembly mounted underneath.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade adjustable for elevation in a slotted base at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch sight adjustable for windage, dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are W. Murad “The Pointer” two-piece foliate-textured brown synthetic panels. The grips enclose the frame at the bottom but the top portions of the front and back straps are exposed and the panels extend below the bottom of the frame. The left panel has a serrated thumb-shelf for a right-handed shooter. The grips have a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. There is good detail in the texturing. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original to leaving King. The quality of the finish makes us believe it is original to Colt, but the work done by King may have required them to refinish it after customization.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are a few light nicks and scratches, most notable at the muzzle and on the weight-assembly’s cap. There is infrequent very minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear and there is a little bit of peening at the edges of the breech-face. The weight assembly’s bracket has some light wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide is not designed to lock back on an empty magazine but the safety can be used to hold the slide open for cleaning. In addition to the barrel weight system, the trigger has been tuned and an adjustable trigger-stop installed. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 10-round magazine and a Colt Archives letter. The letter confirms that this pistol shipped March 10, 1932 to Dunham, Carrigan & Hayden in San Francisco, California as one of 12 guns of the same type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Woodsman 1st Series pistol which is something of a “California Special”. having originally been shipped to one of San Francisco’s leading hardware, mining and retail stores in 1932. The pistol at some point made its way to King Gunsight Company, also in San Francisco, where it was modified to its current configuration, with a full-length barrel weight system, tuned trigger and adjustable trigger over-travel stop. Rounding out the CA accoutrements is a set of W. Murad “The Pointer” grips from San Carlos, California. The pistol is in Very Good-plus condition, showing signs of use, but also retaining a great bore, strong mechanics and much of its finish. This King customized Colt Woodsman checks a lot of boxes for the collector, but all of the work that has been done promises a great shooter, as well. Whatever your reason, this is one pistol you don’t want to miss out on. Please see our photos and good luck!
