Colt Woodsman 1st Series Sport Model .22 LR 4.5″ Semi-Auto Pistol, 1942 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1035
LSB#: 210930TP03
Make: Colt
Model: Woodsman Sport Model, 1st Series
Serial Number: 186329
Year of Manufacture: 1942 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (serrations on the mainspring housing indicate that this pistol is suitable for use with High Velocity Ammunition)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “COLT” and “AUTOMATIC / CAL. .22 LONG RIFLE” followed by a rampant colt. The left side of the frame 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 front strap is marked “186329”, found again marked on the bottom of the slide. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “5” and with a “VP” in a triangle proof. The right front of the trigger guard is marked “4”.
Barrel Length: 4 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch sight dovetailed into the slide, it is adjustable for windage.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The installed grips are Franzite “Tuffite” checkered synthetic panels with a swirl pattern. The grips have minor handling wear with a few scattered light scratches. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.
Also included is a two-piece checkered walnut grip set. The grips are of the appropriate pattern for original Colt grips, but the machine marks on the interior as well as the blued screw escutcheons indicate that they are after-market replacements. These grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. Their checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the additional grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly the leading edges of the barrel, frame and slide. There are a few scattered minor marks and the backstrap has infrequent and very faint surface oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The grip screw is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 in a hinged-lid cardboard Colt box with model-matching label and the serial number hand-written on the bottom of the tray portion. Included in the box is a brass clearing/cleaning rod, factory paperwork including manual and a serial-matching Colt test-target. The box shows scattered wear, mostly at edges and most notable on the lid. There is some fraying, tears and a few small losses with tape repair at some corners. A single 10-round magazine is included, marked “COLT WOODSMAN / CAL. 22 L.R.” on the floorplate. The magazine shows minor operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The additional grips are included as described.
Our Assessment: John M. Browning designed “Colt’s Automatic Pistol, Caliber .22”, later to become the Woodsman, with the design refined slightly by Colt employees George Tansley and F.C. Chadwick before it was released in 1915. The Woodsman stayed in production until 1977 with three distinct series of the model. This is a Colt Woodsman 1st Series Sport Model pistol with a 4 1/2” barrel. The magazine release is on the bottom of the grip, characteristic of the 1st and 3rd Series (The Colt Woodsman pistols changed the location of the magazine release from the butt to the left side of the frame and then back to the butt for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Series – We guess they were going to keep changing it until they got it right). Sportsmen favored the 4 ½” Sport Model but there were also other models for target shooting. This example was produced in 1942, which makes it a fairly interesting piece for Colt collectors. As the United States went to a war footing following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Colt’s production was desperately needed for military arms and production of civilian firearms virtually ceased. It would be two years after the end of WWII before production of the Woodsman resumed with the 2nd series. This is one of the last 1st Series Woodsman pistols made, and it’s in great shape too! The pistol comes with its original box and has been equipped with a vintage set of Franzite “Tuffite” grips. The 1st Series Models are quite collectible and we would expect this one to be no different as one of the final “pre-WWII” (though actually during the war) models. It should also still be a great plinker to pass down through the generations. Please see our photos and good luck!