Colt Woodsman Serial Number

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Colt Woodsman Serial NumberColt woodsman serial number dating

Year / Serial Number. 1840-1843 1-500. Colt Baby Dragoon Pocket. Year / Serial Number. 1847 1 1848 2000 1849 8000 1850 12000 - 14000. Cloverleaf House Model Revolver.41. Year / Serial Number. 1871 1 1872 4000 1873 5000 1874 6000 1875 7200 1876 9600 - 9952. 1st Model Deringer Chambered in.41 caliber Manufactured circa 1870-1890. Gun: Colt Woodsman Target Model—Third Series Serial Number: 052XXXS Caliber.22 Long Rifle Condition: 99 Percent (NRA Perfect—Modern Gun Condition) Manufactured: 1974 Value: $800.

Today there are dozens of .22LR target pistols out there on the market. You can walk into any shop in any state and find any number of Ruger, Browning, Beretta, or Walther pistols among others who all promise to scratch that rimfire itch. But nearly a hundred years ago, Colt got this concept out and perfect and before anyone else did and it came in the form of a work of art we know today as the Woodsman—quite possibly the handgun shooters most want to see made again…

Colt Woodsman 22 Serial Number Lookup

Why

Colt Woodsman Serial Number Date Of Manufacture

At the dawn of the 20th Century, Colt Firearms had a master artisan and visionary on their payroll. His name: John Moses Browning. In the first two decades of the century, Browning designed for the company their Model 1900, 1902, M1903/1908 Pocket Hammerless, Vest Pocket pistol, and that most famous of Colt handguns—the M1911 longslide. Odds are, if you wanted a semi-automatic pistol in the US in the 1900s, you had a Colt.

These guns, ranging from .25 to .45ACP were all made for the purpose of self-defense/military and law enforcement use. What the company needed in 1915 to complete the handgun hat trick was a nice rimfire target pistol.

And that is just what Browning came up with.

Design

The new .22 self-loader was an exercise in simplicity. Browning started with a fixed-barrel attached to a strait blowback action. This meant that the barrel was threaded solid to the forged steel frame, which ensured that as long as it was aligned properly in production, it couldn’t be knocked loose in the future. Atop the back of the frame was a removable cover that held the mainspring housing, striker-style firing pin, and a spring-loaded extractor.

Feeding came from a single-stack 10-shot magazine that inserted into the pistol grip and was held there by a European-style heel release. While it was unlike Browning to do this (he had already designed several semi-auto pistols without this feature, his Colt 1911 for instance), it at least made the gun ambidextrous and easy to load or unload while wearing gloves. The trigger guard was also large enough to accommodate a gloved finger if needed. Since the gun was to be pitched as a farmer/rancher/woodsman’s companion, such allowances were welcome, style points notwithstanding.

A drift-adjustable rear sight and elevation adjustable front sight was inlet directly into the gun. With a long sight radius over the 6.5-inch pencil-like barrel, these sights helped make the gun exceptionally accurate. A thin trigger with very short travel minimized the possibility of trigger slap in inexperienced shooters, which also helped in the accuracy department. Checkered walnut grips covered an angled grip similar to the one found on Swiss arms guru Georg Luger’s Parabellum pistol—which was very popular among both military and target shooters at the time. Overall length was 10.5-inches and total weight with a loaded magazine was less than two pounds. Browning presented his gun to the Colt company who immediately snatched it up and sold it as the unimaginably titled “Colt .22 Automatic Pistol” starting in 1915.

Use

The company sold an estimated 690,000 of these guns in three different variants. The first was a Sport Model with a 4.5-inch round barrel. The second variant was a Match Target Model which had a slab-sided 6.5-inch barrel and an 11-inch overall length. . The third variant was the standard Target Model with a 6 or 6.5-inch skinny barrel. Each of these models came in an assortment of grades, subvariants, and had minor changes and improvements from one another. It was not until 1927 that the “Woodsman” name was added to the model.

Over the years, the original Browning-designed partridge sights were replaced. This translated into a fixed front sight and an adjustable rear moving forward. Marketed by Colt as the Accro Sight these would be augmented by Steven or Elliason rear sights on various models but they all still had the same concept. Barrel weights, some sold aftermarket by King, led to the company producing in 1938 the slab-sided Match Target Model of its own. This flat-looking barrel assembly included built-in barrel weights to help eliminate the already negligible muzzle flip in long range shooting. That same year Colt experimented with so-called Elephant ear grips that extended below the pistol itself to help with steadying the pistol.

The military ordered 4,000 Match Target Bull’s-eye pistols for training purposes (then as now, it’s still cheaper to shoot 22LR than .45ACP). Marked with a government cartouche and US markings, these served for decades before they were passed along to the surplus market.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

In continuous production for more than 60 years, these guns set the bar that other .22LR pistols had to meet. Had it not been for the Colt Woodsman, Carl Gustav Swebilius would never have produced the Hi-Standard series of pistols. These guns, which first came out in the 1930s, look, and perform like clones of the Woodsman. Then came the Smith and Wesson Model 41, which looks suspiciously like the slab-sided Woodsman Match Target Model. Finally, Bill Ruger launched his company in 1949 with a .22LR single stack ten-shot magazine pistol, with a fixed skinny barrel and strait blowback action. Truth be told, if there was no Woodsman, the rimfire pistol market could look very different today.

Collectability

Putting a price on these guns is the utmost in tricky. First, you have to figure out what you are looking at. Woodsmen were made in three distinct issue runs between 1915 and 1977 (although guns were still being made from old parts by Colt as late as 1980). Their adjustable front sights easily spot first issue guns while second issue guns have fixed front sights and a 1911-style magazine release button. If you have a Woodsman with a heel-mounted mag release and fixed front sights, odds are its a third issue.

You need to get very in depth with the serial numbers (be advised many of the same serial number ranges were repeated) and with exactly what model you have. Know that guns made before World War 2 will all have patent numbers and the dates 1903 and/or 1918 roll marked on the gun. Guns made after the war will not have those patent dates. Also if you have a Colt Woodsman that does not actually say ‘The Woodsman’ on it, and your serial number is less than #34,000, your gun is very collectable. Like over $2000 worth collectable.

The same can be said for factory engraved guns as there were only a few hundred of these made. First issue ‘US Property” marked guns, showing Army service, can often run well over $2500. Two experimental short rifle models, with a detachable wood stock and 10-inch barrel, were made but the odds of ever getting your hands on one for less than the price of a loaded Porsche are slim. For help with variants, Bob Rayburn has an excellent site all about the Woodsman.

With all that being said, prices for your ‘typical’ shooting grade Colt Woodsman run anywhere from $500-$1000. Moreover, yes, due to the nature of their construction, these guns do often still shoot remarkably well. It seems that barring meteor strikes, those old barrels just refuse to quit or get out of alignment. It may be a good idea to get with the Colt Historian (1-800-962-COLT) to get a letter showing the manufacture date etc. of your gun to help prove its value. This should be mandatory if you think you have an Army or factory engraved gun. As a note of warning, First Issue Woodsmen with serial numbers #83,790 shouldn’t be fired with high-velocity .22LR ammo unless their mainspring housing has been changed out.

If you have a newer gun (third issue guns were made between 1955-1977ish) that isn’t just absolutely beautiful, in the original box, take that bad boy to the range with standard velocity ammo, and get your money’s worth out of it. Just be advised that correct Colt-marked mags run about $100 on the market and the supply of internal parts is shrinking everyday—so buy some now for future use.

If it’s older than that, or in excellent condition, preserve it as the collectable it is and list who gets it in your will.

  • LOT OF 16 MAGAZINES AND A BBL. The magazinesLOT OF 16 MAGAZINES AND A BBL. The magazines consist of two Husqvarna 380’s, blue. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Colt 1902 38 ACP, blue. CONDITION: Very
  • *COLT WOODSMAN SPORT MODEL Cal. 22. SN 142767.*COLT WOODSMAN SPORT MODEL Cal. 22. SN 142767. This 4-1/2” sport Woodsman is in new in the box condition. As far as I can tell, it shows no signs of
  • **Colt Woodsman 3rd Series Match Target Pistol.Serial**Colt Woodsman 3rd Series Match Target Pistol.Serial # 230832-S This pistol was manufactured in 1968. It is a fine example of a top of the line Colt
  • Lot Of 22: Pistol Magazines.This lot includesLot Of 22: Pistol Magazines.This lot includes seven blued Colt Model 1911 .45 ACP magazines, one U.S. canvas O.D. pouch, two nickel Colt 1911 .45 ACP,
  • Colt Military Model 1905-Semi-automatic handgun,Colt Military Model 1905-Semi-automatic handgun, .45ACP, rare model: one of only 500 produced with factory slotted back strap to accept shoulder stock
  • *COLT WOODSMAN SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22*COLT WOODSMAN SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22 LR. SN 149111. Blue finish with 6-5/8' tapered rnd bbl, adjustable partridge front sight & adjustable rear sight
  • COLT WOODSMAN SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. American,COLT WOODSMAN SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. American, 20th century. .22 caliber with a 6 1/2' barrel. Original blue with a crisp signature, however it does not
  • *Colt Woodsman 2ND Model Match Target Semi-Auto*Colt Woodsman 2ND Model Match Target Semi-Auto Pistol .22 LR cal. 4.5' barrel S/N 99180-S. Blue finish brown checkered plastic grips; original box numbered
  • **Colt Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol.Serial**Colt Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol.Serial # 020206S This is a Woodsman second series sport model manufactured in 1948. It is a semi-automatic chambered
  • **Colt Woodsman Semi Automatic Pistol.Serial**Colt Woodsman Semi Automatic Pistol.Serial # 085202S The Woodsman sports model with a 4 - 1/2' barrel, adjustable rear sight, blued finish, checkered
  • *COLT WOODSMAN SPORT MODEL SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.*COLT WOODSMAN SPORT MODEL SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22 LR. SN 010487S. Blued finish, 4-1/2' bbl, ramp front sight, adjustable rear sight, checkered thumb
  • A late 1st Series Colt Woodsman semi-automaticA late 1st Series Colt Woodsman semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 185974 for 1947, .22 Long Rifle. 6 5/8 inch barrel. Blued finish. Checkered brown plastic
  • LOT OF THREE EARLY REVOLVERS AND BB PISTOL.LOT OF THREE EARLY REVOLVERS AND BB PISTOL. 1) Cal 32 S&W, SN 14852, Iver-Johnson hammerless with trigger safety. Nickel finish, 3' bbl, and hard rubber
  • COLT WOODSMAN MODEL SINGLE ACTION SEMI-AUTOMATICCOLT WOODSMAN MODEL SINGLE ACTION SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL, .22 lr caliber, 6' barrel, blued finish, imitation stag grips, ten shot magazine, bottom mag release,
  • Colt Woodsman, rusty relic, inoperable, appearsColt Woodsman, rusty relic, inoperable, appears to have been in fire, great wall hanger. Estimate: 75.00 - 125.00
  • Colt Woodsman .22 cal. sn 46615-S 6 inchColt Woodsman .22 cal. sn 46615-S 6 inch bbl retains considerable original, bright blue, receiver shows approx. 30 to 40% blue with blue gray patina, adjustable
  • PISTOL - .22 caliber Colt Woodsman semi-automaticPISTOL - .22 caliber Colt Woodsman semi-automatic pistol, serial #153309, walnut grips and original blueing, comes with brown leather holster and one clip,
  • *SCARCE HARTFORD ARMS SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal.*SCARCE HARTFORD ARMS SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22 LR. SN 211. Seldom-encountered predecessor to the Colt Woodsman and High Standard Model B, this little
  • *SCARCE NAVY ISSUE COLT WOODSMAN SEMI-AUTO*SCARCE NAVY ISSUE COLT WOODSMAN SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22 LR. SN 105875. Blue finish with 4-1/2' tapered rnd bbl, standard front sight and adjustable
  • *COLT WOODSMAN 3RD MODEL SPORT SEMI-AUTO*COLT WOODSMAN 3RD MODEL SPORT SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22 LR. SN 210922-S. Blued finish, 4-1/2' bbl, ramp front sight & adjustable rear sight. It has checkered
  • *COLT WOODSMAN 3RD MODEL SPORT SEMI-AUTO*COLT WOODSMAN 3RD MODEL SPORT SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. Cal. 22 LR. SN 084532S. Blued finish, 6' bbl, partridge front sight & adjustable rear sight, checkered
  • Colt Woodsman First Model, Target, .22 cal,Colt Woodsman First Model, Target, .22 cal, serial #156486, all guns sold in accordance with Federal Firearms Laws, $15 transfer fee each gun
  • Colt Woodsman pistol, .22 caliber semi-automatic,Colt Woodsman pistol, .22 caliber semi-automatic, 6-5/8 in. barrel, serial number 12003; FFL, Permit, or NICS background check required. Excellent condition,
  • Colt Woodsman .22 cal. pistol, serial No.Colt Woodsman .22 cal. pistol, serial No. 11037-S, semi-automatic, owner's name at top of grip, includes two clips and additional set wooden grips,
  • COLT WOODSMAN THIRD SERIES AUTOMATIC PISTOL,COLT WOODSMAN THIRD SERIES AUTOMATIC PISTOL, Serial number 161133-S. .22 caliber. Plastic grips. Sport model.. In accordance with Federal Firearms
  • COLT 'WOODSMAN' SINGLE ACTION SEMI-AUTOMATICCOLT 'WOODSMAN' SINGLE ACTION SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL, third series, 22 lr caliber, 4 1/2' barrel, blued finish, checkered walnut grips, bottom magazine
  • Colt Woodsman Second Series In .22 caliberColt Woodsman Second Series In .22 caliber long rifle. Serial #5584-S. Still retains approximately 95% of finish. Has a holster and original box.
  • A Colt Woodsman 2nd Series Match Target semi-automaticA Colt Woodsman 2nd Series Match Target semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 140573-S for 1954, .22 caliber. 6 inch barrel. Blued finish. Checkered hard rubber
  • A Colt Woodsman Target Model semi-automaticA Colt Woodsman Target Model semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 149289 for 1941, .22 caliber. 6 5/8 inch barrel. Blued finish. Checkered walnut grips. Condition:
  • Colt Woodsman Match Target Second Issue semi-automaticColt Woodsman Match Target Second Issue semi-automatic pistol. Cal. 22. 6' bbl. SN 38406-S. Blued finish with plastic grips and 1 magazine. In factory
  • A Colt Woodsman 3rd Series Target Model semi-automaticA Colt Woodsman 3rd Series Target Model semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 171382-S for 1956, .22 Long Rifle. 6 inch barrel. Blued finish. Checkered walnut
  • A silver-inlaid Colt Woodsman semi-automaticA silver-inlaid Colt Woodsman semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 54179 for 1927, .22 Long Rifle. 6 inch barrel. Blued finish. Front sides of frame inlaid
  • A pre-war Colt Woodsman Target semi-automaticA pre-war Colt Woodsman Target semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 428102 for 1926, .22 Long Rifle. 6 inch barrel. Blued finish. Checkered walnut grips. Condition:
  • A pre-war Colt Woodsman Target semi-automaticA pre-war Colt Woodsman Target semi-automatic pistol Serial no. 127481 for 1939, .22 Long Rifle. 6 inch barrel. Blued finish. Checkered walnut grips. Condition:
  • Colt Woodsman Target Semi Pistol.** SerialColt Woodsman Target Semi Pistol.** Serial # 146345-S. Caliber: .22. Barrel length: 4 - 1/2'. Includes original box and paperwork. Includes one extra
  • Colt Woodsman First Series Match Target .22Colt Woodsman First Series Match Target .22 lr semi-automatic pistol serial #MT9760 heavy barrel with blued finish 6 3/4 in. L.; adjustable rear sight;
  • Colt Woodsman 1st Series Target .22 autoColt Woodsman 1st Series Target .22 auto Serial # 54841 Condition: fair forward trigger two-tone magazine 6 5/8 barrel some bluing loss Transfer:
  • *Colt Woodsman Sport Model Semi-Auto Pistol*Colt Woodsman Sport Model Semi-Auto Pistol .22 LR cal. 4.5' barrel S/N 143408. Checkered walnut grips; 1940 date of mfg. Condition: Excellent condition
  • *Colt Woodsman Sport Model Semi-Auto Pistol*Colt Woodsman Sport Model Semi-Auto Pistol .22 LR cal. 4.5' barrel S/N 047125S. Blue finish checkered walnut grips. Condition: Excellent condition with
  • *Colt Woodsman Semi-Auto Pistol .22 LR cal.*Colt Woodsman Semi-Auto Pistol .22 LR cal. 6.5' barrel S/N 79878. Blue finish walnut checkered grips 1931 date of mfg. Condition: Very good condition
  • COLT WOODSMAN SECOND SERIES TARGET MODELCOLT WOODSMAN SECOND SERIES TARGET MODEL SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, 22 lr caliber, 6' round barrel, blued finish, brown plastic grips, adjustable rear sight,
  • Colt Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol serialColt Woodsman Semi-Automatic Pistol serial #181042-5; .22 long rifle caliber; the barrel 6' long; checkered and thermoplastic stock; 10' long overall;
  • COLT WOODSMAN SECOND SERIES TARGET MODELCOLT WOODSMAN SECOND SERIES TARGET MODEL SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, 22 lr caliber, 6' round barrel, blued finish, 'Coltwood' plastic grips, adjustable rear
  • COLT WOODSMAN MATCH TARGET SEMI AUTOMATICCOLT WOODSMAN MATCH TARGET SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, 22 lr caliber, 4 1/2' barrel, checkered walnut grips, blued finish, adjustable rear sight, slide lock
  • COLT WOODSMAN MATCH TARGET SEMI AUTOMATICCOLT WOODSMAN MATCH TARGET SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, 22 lr caliber, 4 1/2' barrel, blued finish, checkered walnut grips, ten shot magazine, adjustable rear
  • Colt Woodsman . Long Rifle Target PistolSerialColt Woodsman . Long Rifle Target PistolSerial #10638-5. Overall 98% finish with excellent grips. Bore is very good with minor pitting. 6' barrel. 10'
  • *COLT 'WOODSMAN' AUTOMATIC .22 PISTOL. Hartford,*COLT 'WOODSMAN' AUTOMATIC .22 PISTOL. Hartford, Connecticut, 20th century. Thermoplastic pistol grips with checkering, and blued frame. Barrel length
  • COLT 'WOODSMAN' SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, firstCOLT 'WOODSMAN' SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, first series target model, 22 lr caliber, 6 5/8' barrel, blued finish, checkered walnut grips, adjustable front
  • COLT WOODSMAN SPORT MODEL SEMI AUTOMATICCOLT WOODSMAN SPORT MODEL SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL, 22 lr caliber, 4 1/2' barrel, blued finish, 'Coltwood' plastic grips plus checkered walnut set, adjustable
  • Colt Woodsman . 22 LR: Long Rifle SN 222830-5Colt Woodsman . 22 LR: Long Rifle SN 222830-5 (This gun requires paperwork) Condition Please contact us for condition reports