Make: Colt

Model: Targetsman

Serial Number: 135202-C

Year of Manufacture: 1959

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 6"

Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a flat topped square notch adjustable for windage, dovetailed to the rear of the slide. The rear sight was originally adjustable for elevation, the adjustment screw is missing. The back face of the rear sight is painted around the notch. The front sight is a serrated, ramped blade fixed to the front of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black plastic with a thumb-shelf on the left panel for a right-handed shooter and the right panel has a rampant colt in circle at the top. The grips have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas are mostly worn to white. There is finish wear along each side of the barrel. There is some other scattered more minor wear. There is an odd void in the finish on the left of the slide behind the serrations. There are scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The remaining screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good 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 with a single 10-round magazine.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt Targetsman pistol, made in 1959. 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 and the Woodsman stayed in production until 1977. Like the Huntsman, the Targetsman model was introduced in 1950 as a lower cost alternative to the Woodsman. It shares the same basic construction and quality craftsmanship, as the Woodsman with a few distinguishing features. Like the Huntsman, the Woodsman had a simplified magazine release and a flat muzzle instead of the rounded muzzle of the Woodsman, also saving just a little more with a smooth trigger which has a consistent curve. This trigger was easier to manufacture than the Woodsman's serrated trigger which has curves at the top and bottom with a little bit of a flat in the middle. The Targetsman is distinguished from the Huntsman by its adjustable rear sight, though again this is a simpler design than the Woodsman's. This pistol is in Very Good overall condition with about 75% of its original finish remaining, showing signs of use over the last 60 years, but retaining a good bore. The rear sight is missing its elevation adjustment screw, but the pistol is otherwise in good mechanical condition. Whether you're looking for a classy plinker or want to round out your Colt collection, this Colt Targetsman would be a nice pony to add to your stable. Please see our photos and good luck!