Colt Woodsman Match Target 1st Series Bullseye .22 LR Pistol, 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725.99
LSB#: WY240911JW001
Make: Colt
Model: Woodsman Match Target 1st Series
Serial Number: MT9878
Year of Manufacture: 1940 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
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 a Rampant Colt logo. The left side of the frame is marked “THE WOODSMAN” and the left barrel flat is marked with a “MATCH / TARGET” with a large bullseye in the center. The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PAT. DES. 110.887”. The bottom of the grip frame on the left side is marked “MT9878”. The interior of the slide is marked “9878”.
Barrel Length: 6 5/8″, Tapered Slab-Side
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a flat-topped square notch rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation dovetailed to the slide. The front sight is a Patridge-style blade that is pinned into a slotted base fixed to the top of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece checkered walnut “elephant ear” grip that wraps around the front strap with Colt medallions at the tops of the grip on each side. The grip has minor handling wear with a few light nicks, scuffs, and a couple of spots of verdigris at the top-right from the included holster. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few tiny spots of minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is a patch of minor erosion on the right of the barrel near the muzzle. There are a few other small marks and infrequent tiny spots of minor oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the slide markings are poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide does not lock back on an empty magazine but the manual safety can be used to lock the slide back for cleaning. 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 one 10 round magazine and a Heiser leather holster.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Woodsman 1st Series Match Target “Bullseye” Model pistol, made in 1940. It has a flat sided barrel that tapers towards the muzzle, adjustable sights and the bottom of the grip frame mounted magazine release characteristic of the 1st 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). 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. Sportsmen favored the 4 1/2” Sport Model, but the Match Target was the top of the line and a favorite of bullseye target competitors. The pistol is in Very Good overall condition with about 85% of its original finish remaining. Target pistols of this quality are no longer made in the United States and will command a premium over most “new” currently manufactured pistols except those used for high-end competition. If you are looking for a rimfire target pistol, this is likely still a better choice than most “new” pistols on the market today, but since this is one of the more rare pre-WWII models, the Colt collectors are likely to have some interest, as well. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
