Colt Woodsman

Colt Woodsman
A second series Woodsman
Type	semi-automatic plinking pistol
Land of Origin	USA
Specifications
Barrel length	4-1/2, 6 or 6-5/8 inch.
Weight	Approx: 1 7/8 Lbs
Cartridge	.22 Long Rifle
Action	Semi-automatic
Production History
Produced	1915-1977

The Colt Woodsman is a semi-automatic sporting pistol manufactured by the American Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1915 to 1977. It was designed by John Moses Browning. The frame design changed over time, in three distinct series: series one being 1915–1947, series two 1947–1955, and series three being 1955–1977.

Series identification

First Series (1915-1947)

The first series Woodsman can be easily recognized by its distinctive profile, which looks a bit like the German Luger in the rakish grip angle. The serial number also provides a sure means of identification, since only the first series has no alphabetical suffix.

• If the serial number is on the frontstrap and contains only numbers, with no letters, it's a first series.
• If the only alphabetical characters in the serial number are MT, it's a first series Match Target.

Second Series (1947-1955)

The Second Series Woodsmans are the only models that have a push button magazine release, like on the Government 45. All post-WWII type Woodsmans, both Second and Third Series, have an S suffix to the serial number. Although it is part of the Second Series, the Challenger model, unlike the Woodsman, has a spring catch at the butt and a C suffix to the serial number.

• If it has a push button magazine release just behind the trigger guard, it's a second series.
• If it is marked Challenger, it's a second series.

Third Series (1955-1977)

All post-WWII type Woodsmans, both Second and Third Series, have an S suffix to the serial number. Challengers, and some early Huntsmans and Targetsmans, have a -C suffix. All Third Series guns have the magazine release on the butt, in the same location as the First Series.

• If the magazine release is at the heel of the butt AND the pistol has an S at the end of the serial number, then it's a 3rd Series.

Resources

Gun Owners' Resource has the following relevant documents available for free download for the Colt Woodsman and/or its variants:

• Colt Woodsman Owner's Manual, c. 2001 (4 pgs, 356 KB)
• Colt Woodsman Match Target Model with heavy barrel Owner's Manual (4 pgs, 387 KB)
• Colt Woodsman Target & Sport models instructions for assembly-disassembly, cleaning (5 pgs, 295 KB)

The following diagrams are also available:

• 

  Parts view of a 'series 1 / pre-war' woodsman, with parts legend.

• 

  Parts view of a postwar series, with parts legend.

• 

  Parts view of another postwar series, with legend.

See also

• List of firearms

External links

• Background information
• Colt Woodsman FAQ

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