Make: Colt

Model: Woodsman Target Model, 1st Series

Serial Number: 94024

Year of Manufacture: 1935

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 6 5/8"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade screw-secured to a slotted base fixed to the front of the barrel, the front sight is adjustable for elevation. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and dovetailed into the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips have only a few very minor marks. There is verdigris on the screw escutcheons. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, serial-matching slide.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action shows faint operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 in a hinge-lid cardboard Colt box with model-matching label, serial number, hand-written on the bottom, a single 10-round magazine, cleaning brush, manual, serial-matching test target, purchase receipt dated Feb. 9, 1935 from The Bolles Brendamour Sporting Goods store in Cincinnati, OH, carbon copy of a Cincinnati Police application for purchase of firearms with the same date, both to an N. W. Hunter of Jamestown, OH.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt Woodsman 1st Series Target Model pistol with a 6 5/8" barrel and checkered walnut grips. The magazine release is on the bottom of the grip, characteristic of the 1st 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 Target model had a longer sight radius for its adjustable sights.

This Target Model is in exquisite condition, showing little sign of use over the last 90 years. It not only includes it original box, but it appears it includes its incredibly well preserved 1935 sales invoice. The included purchase application from Cincinnati Police may indicate that the original purchaser fibbed just a bit, as they listed the reason for purchase to be "target shooting". Based on the condition of the pistol, it doesn't appear to have put to its intended use! The early 1st Series Models are very collectible and we would expect this one to be no different. It should also still make for a fun shooter, but you'll have to bring yourself to shoot one of the most pristine examples available. Please see our photos and good luck!