Make: Colt

Model: The Woodsman, Match Target

Serial Number: MT4123

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 grip is a one-piece "Elephant Ear" checkered walnut that wraps around the front strap and has “ears'' which extend below the bottom of the grip frame on each side. There are nickel plated Rampant Colt medallions at the tops of the grip on each side. The grip has some scattered marks, mostly around the magazine well and in the frontstrap. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering appears to have been chased and is well defined. The grip is in Very Good-plus overall condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished, the slide is serial-matching.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8-9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The finish is strong throughout with only a few tiny marks. The action shows minor operational wear. There is infrequent very minor erosion under the finish, most notable on the left of the slide behind the serrations. The serrations are soft. The markings are generally clear, the slide's rampant colt is shallow and incomplete. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition as refinished.

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 single two-tone Match Target 10-round magazine.

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 – We guess they were going to keep changing it until they got it right). 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 ½” Sport Model, but the Match Target was the top of the line and a favorite of bullseye target competitors.

The pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition as refinished with about 98% of its new finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and infrequent minor erosion. 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 rarer pre-WWII models, the Colt collectors will also be interested in this piece. Please see our photos and good luck in your bidding!