Make: Colt

Model: Woodsman Sport, 3rd Series

Serial Number: 052824S

Year of Manufacture: 1974

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

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

Barrel Length: 4 1/2"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base pinned to the rear of the slide.

Grip Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with a thumb-shelf on the left panel for a right-handed shooter. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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, the bore rates 8 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is some minor oxidation on the breech- and bolt-face. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine Plus Condition.

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 blued 10-round magazine marked “COLT CAL. .22 L.R.” 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 target shooters preferred the 6” barrel Target Model, sportsmen favored the 4 1/2” barrel Sport Model; the only difference was the barrel length, as both had adjustable sights. 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 Colt Woodsman 3rd Series Sport Pistol was made in 1974 and is in Fine Plus Condition. It’s chambered in .22 LR, and features 97% of its lustrous, original blued finish, a 4 1/2” barrel, elegant checkered walnut grips, adjustable sights, a claw magazine release characteristic of the 3rd Series, and a mostly bright bore with sharp rifling (there’s infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling). 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. Whether you're looking for a shooter or an addition to a Colt collection, this is a beautiful old pony to bring home to any stable.