Factory Confirmed 1st Year of Production Colt Custom Shop Factory Nickel 3rd Series Woodsman, MFD 1955 C&R

SOLD FOR: $5,641.17
Make: Colt’s PT. F.A. MFG. Co.
Model: 3rd Series Woodsman Match Target
Serial Number: 161417-S
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “COLT’S MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. / U.S. PAT. D-121.317”. The frame is marked with a Rampant Colt logo / “MATCH TARGET”. The left side of the slide is marked “COLT” and “AUTOMATIC / CAR. 22 LONG RIFLE”. The left side of the trigger guard is with a marked “K” and the Triangle “VP” proof. The right side of the frame is marked “161417-S”.
Barrel Length: 6” with Full Length Barrel Weight
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge style blade pinned to a mount which is integral to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch Colt Accro leaf, adjustable for windage and elevation pinned to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece smooth bone grips exhibit little evidence of use. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Polished Nickel with Matte Finish on the Top and Rear of the Frame
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. This pistol looks amazing, please scroll below the description to see all the photos. For those with a discriminating taste here are the small flaws we noticed. Small spots of finish thinning are apparent at the muzzle with a tiny cluster of compression marks at the front left edge of the barrel weight. Light frosting is beginning to appear on the sides of the barrel and frame, with scattered shallow handling marks also visible. A small compression mark is present on the bottom left side of the barrel weight. A few incidents of pinprick erosion are present on the left side of the barrel at the muzzle and a cluster of surface erosion can be found on the right side of the frame at the front edge of the grip. Two spots of finish loss are evident in the serrations on the right side of the slide and one on the left forward edge of the frame. A cluster of mars is visible in the matte finish on the rear of the frame and spots of dark color can be seen on the top of the slide. Traces of oily buildup are present in the slide serrations (this can likely be cleaned better with some patience). The screw heads are mildly deformed. The markings are Sharp and clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. This gun is equipped with a magazine safety disconnect.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The pistol is equipped with one 10-round magazine, finished in nickel with “COLT / CAL .22 L.R.” marked on the matte finished floor plate. The magazine is in Fine condition exhibiting shallow handling marks and a mar in the finish of the magazine from contact with the magazine latch.
Our Assessment: Colt records show that only five Woodsman Match Target pistols left the factory with a Nickel finish. We Know that this pistol was one of a special order of three which were purchased by the President of the Rexall Drug Store chain, shipped on December 19, 1955. This is a spectacular looking pistol featuring bone grips and a polished nickel finish with matte nickel finish on the top and rear of the slide. This pistol is in Fine condition, exhibiting light marks, patches of frosting and retaining about 92% of its nickel finish. Over 100,000 Woodsman 3rd Series pistols were manufactured from 1955 until 1977. This is a striking example of a rare custom shop variant 1st year of production of the Match Target Model, sure to enhance any high end collection. We guarantee this pistol will letter.