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Make: Colt
Model: The Woodsman, Match Target
Serial Number: MT5015
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Detachable 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: The grip is a one-piece "Elephant Ear" checkered walnut that wraps around the front strap and has "ears" which extend below the bottom of the grip frame on each side. There are nickel plated Rampant Colt medallions at the tops of the grip on each side. The grip has fairly even handling wear with a few more notable marks around the edges of the "ears". The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grip is in Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original, there is some wear on the right barrel/frame flat that shows treatment with cold blue. The slide is serial-matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered tiny spots of minor oxidation with infrequent erosion, mostly at the muzzle on the left and above the trigger on the right frame flat. There is wear above the trigger on the right frame/barrel flat that shows treatment with cold blue. There are scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This handgun comes with a single 10-round Match Target magazine.
Our Assessment: This is a Colt Woodsman 1st Series Match Target "Bullseye" Model pistol, made in the second year this model was produced, 1939. It has a slab-sided barrel that tapers towards the muzzle, adjustable sights and a heel magazine release characteristic of the 1st 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). 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 1/2" 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 overall condition with about 85% of its original finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion. Target pistols of this quality are no longer made in the United States and will command a premium over most 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 pistols on the market today, but since this is one of the more scarce pre-WWII models, the Colt collectors will also be interested in this piece. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!