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Make: Colt
Model: Woodsman Match Target “Bullseye”, 1st Series
Serial Number: MT5752
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle (the serrated backstrap indicates that High Velocity ammunition may be used in this pistol)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 6 1/2″ Heavy Barrel, Tapered Slab-Side
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a flat topped square notch adjustable for windage and elevation, dovetailed into the slide. The front sight is a blade that is pinned into a slotted base fixed to the top of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: None
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. There are some scattered small marks, most are in portions of the frame that will be covered with grips installed. The action shows minor operational wear. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine Condition as missing grips.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one original vintage Colt “two tone” partially blued 10-round magazine, correctly stamped with the 3 line marking “COLT WOODSMAN / CAL. 22 L.R. / MATCH TARGET MOD” on the bottom floorplate.
Our Assessment:Another innovative design sprung from the mind of gunmaking genius John Moses Browning was the “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. While sportsmen favored the Sport Model and plinkers preferred the Target Model, competitive bullseye target shooters wanted the top of the line Match Target. 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.
This 1st Series Match Target “Bullseye” Model Pistol was made in just the second year this model was produced, 1939, and is in Fine Condition as missing its grips. It’s chambered in .22 LR (the serrated backstrap indicates that High Velocity ammunition may be used in this pistol), and features 96% of its lustrous, original blued finish, a 6 1/2” heavy, slab-sided barrel that tapers towards the muzzle, adjustable sights, a heel magazine release characteristic of the 1st Series, and a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling. Lastly, this pistol comes from the personal collection of inventor, founder, and President of Universal Firearms, Abe Seiderman, and should be of additional interest to collectors for that ownership lineage. This 1st Series Match Target “Bullseye” should still prove to be a great shooter, or would be a fine addition to a Colt collection.