Colt Woodsman Match Target 2nd Series Rimfire C&R Blue 6″ Fluted Slab-Side Semi-Auto Pistol 1948 .22

SOLD FOR: $1,475.00
LSB#: 
181115TE01

Make: Colt

Model: Woodsman Match Target 2nd Series

Serial Number: 6739-S

Year of Manufacture: 1948 (“The Book of Colt Firearms Third Edition”, Wilson, P462)

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”. The left side of the frame is marked with a rampant colt over “MATCH TARGET” between the slide and barrel. The left barrel flat is marked “COLT’S MFG. CO. HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. / U.S. PAT. D-121,317”. The right of the frame is marked “6739-S” over the trigger. The right of the trigger guard is marked “22”, the left is marked “Z” and “VP” in triangle.

Barrel Length: 6″ Fluted Slab-Side

Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a flat topped square notch rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation and dovetailed into the slide. The front sight is a Patridge style blade that is pinned into a serrated, ramped base fixed to the top of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered multi-color injection molded plastic panels with a thumb-shelf on the left panel for a right-handed shooter. The grips have only a few scattered light marks, the most notable at the bottom of the left panel. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-plus 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 93% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges, most notable at corners. The barrel, frame and slide have several scattered light marks. The left barrel flat has a few light scuffs, most above the flute but with one below toward the rear. The grip straps and safety show light handling wear. The slide serrations are sharp. The screw heads are sharp, the pin heads are unmarred and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide locks back on an empty magazine. The manual safety can be used to lock the slide forward. 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. The magazine has light operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Very Good-plus condition.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt Woodsman 2nd Series Match Target Model pistol, made in the second year this model was produced, 1948. It has a fluted slab-side barrel, adjustable sights and a button magazine release characteristic of the 2nd 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, respectively). 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 ½” 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-plus overall condition with about 93% of its original finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. 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 still a better choice than most “NEW” pistols on the market today, but as with with most Colts, they are now quite collectible. This 2nd Series with correct grips and original finish is sure to attract the Colt collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.

Colt Woodsman Match Target 2nd Series Rimfire C&R Blue 6" Fluted Slab-Side Semi-Auto Pistol 1948 .22
Colt Woodsman Match Target 2nd Series Rimfire C&R
Blue 6″ Fluted Slab-Side Semi-Auto Pistol 1948 .22