Colt Firearms Collector

The last patent date on this pistol is: Sept. 3, 1918, on a 6 1/2 in. bbl., Partridge front sight and adjustable rear sight.  Smooth trigger.  Grips are checkered Walnut.  This first series pistol is post 1927 and marked: 'The Woodsman' on the left side of the frame forward of the slide making it Pre-WW2.  The Rampant Colt is forward of the retraction serrations on the slide.

The Match Target Model debuted in 1938 and featured a heavier barrel with a one piece wrap-around grip known as the "elephant ear." A "Bullseye" Icon was roll- marked into the slide lending the nickname "Bullseye Match Target".

In 1941 as the US entered World War II, Colt ceased civilian production of the Woodsman but delivered 4000 Match Target models to the US Government as late as 1945. These pistols had oversized plastic two-piece grips and were marked "Property US Government", but appeared on the surplus market after the war.

Production of this model began in 1915 and ended in 1943.  Prior to 1941, when the war started, the type seen here was discontinued to produce the 1941 government model.

SN 66996

The first version of the Woodsman, with the medium weight barrel, early trigger, and early rear sight. Identical to the final version of the pre-Woodsman, except for THE WOODSMAN roll mark on the side of the receiver.