Make: Colt

Model: Woodsman Match Target 2nd Series

Serial Number: 68546-S

Year of Manufacture: 1950

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

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

Barrel Length: 6", Fluted Slab-Side

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 dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The installed grips are two-piece smooth laminate wood with a thumb-shelf on the left panel for a right-handed shooter. The grips have a few scattered light marks and there is some shape-wear under the finish. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Also included is a set of two-piece checkered walnut stocks with a thumb-shelf on the left panel and a palm-swell on the right for a right-handed shooter. There is a loss on the edge of the thumb-shelf at the rear. The grips otherwise have a few light marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the additional grips are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The grip areas show light handling wear, more notable in the frontstrap. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus 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 and the additional grips described above.

Our Assessment: This is a Colt Woodsman 2nd Series Match Target pistol with a 6" fluted slab-side barrel and adjustable target sights. The magazine release is on the left side of the frame, characteristic of the 2nd 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-plus overall condition with about 90% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion. It has been equipped with a set of custom laminate wood target stocks and comes with an additional set of checkered walnut stocks. This pistol will be of interest to the Colt collectors but should also be of interest to those wanting a well-made quality pistol for target practice. Please see our photos and good luck!