Make: Colt

Model: The Woodsman, Match Target

Serial Number: MT4439

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 grips are two-piece checkered walnut with a thumb-shelf on the left panel and a palm-shelf on the right, for a right-handed shooter. The bottom of the right panel has "52" hand-written in black marker. According to included documents from a previous owner, the grips were refinished by Herrett's in 1984. The grips have only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition as refinished and not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original, serial-matching slide.

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

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The grip areas show light handling wear. There are some scattered tiny spots of minor oxidation. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to 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 total of two 10-round magazines, a wood magazine load-assist, documentation from a previous owner, and a Colt Archives letter. The letter indicates that this pistol shipped April 10, 1939 to Morley Bros. in Saginaw, MI as one of five guns of the same type in the shipment.

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 87% of its original finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion. It has been equipped with an attractive set of Herrett's target grips and comes with a Colt Archives letter as well as some additional documentation from a previous owner. 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 "new" 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!