Colt Woodsman Pocket Guide, 2007 Edition |
| A 96 page hard copy of this Woodsman Guide is available from the author. Information is included on the Pre-Woodsman, Woodsman Sport, Woodsman Target, Woodsman Match Target, Challenger, Huntsman, and Targetsman. |
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The 2007 edition is now available. More information, more pictures, improved layout and organization.
Includes:
- Photos and descriptions of all models, from 1915 to 1977
- Photos and descriptions showing how to distinguish the first, second, and third series
- Photos showing how to distinguish between the high velocity ammo and standard velocity ammo versions
- Tables of consistent features that enable you to identify components that are not consistent with the serial number or with other parts, such as the "wrong" magazine or grips.
- Short section on factory engraved guns
- Tables of manufacture dates by serial number
- Magazine interchangeability information with photos
- Assembly/Disassembly instructions
- Exploded views and parts lists
- Bibliography
- Frequently Asked Questions
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All in a convenient, shirt pocket sized format (3-3/4" x 5-1/2"). Based on original research in the factory records at Colt Firearms, and a quarter century of Woodsman collecting. Price is $10, plus $1 for shipping. Cash, check, money order or Paypal ok.
I will be travelling in Asia and Europe from April 27 until June 17, 2008. I will ship orders that come in during my absence after my return.
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| You can pay instantly and securely with any major credit card. Just click on the PayPal logo and enter a total of $11, which includes $1 for shipping. |
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PayPal will notify me that you have paid, and I will get the booklet mailed out to you. If you prefer, or if you are in a country not served by Paypal, you can order by sending payment in cash, or a check in US dollars drawn on a US bank, to:
Bob Rayburn
PO Box 97104W
Lakewood, WA 98497
Please be sure to include your shipping address.
Colt Woodsman Online Guide
Everything that is in my 96 page Colt Woodsman Pocket Guide is available for no charge at this web site. If you would like the convenience of a shirt pocket guide that you can carry to the gun show with you, buy my guide. If you just want to look up some Woodsman information, browse this site. Please remember, however, that this is copyrighted material.
© 1985 - 2008 by Bob Rayburn. Converted to HTML March, 1995. All rights reserved. No portion may be reproduced without written permission from the author.
INTRODUCTION
This document describes the major variations in all models of the Colt Woodsman line, from the beginning in 1915 until production ceased in 1977. Although there are many more variations that are of interest to advanced collectors, those details are far too numerous to include in an abbreviated guide such as this.
For several years I have been working on a book that will detail the many variations, complete with extensive photographs. I make no promises on a completion date, but it will be done, and it will be done as accurately and as thoroughly as possible. If you are not already on my mailing list, and you would like to be notified when the book is nearing completion, send your name and mailing address to:
This is a collector's guide to the Colt Woodsman, not a value guide. While factors that affect value are listed, this is not intended to be a price guide!
Collecting the Colt Woodsman is a hobby for me, not a business. Please note that I do not do appraisals, so please do not ask me to estimate the value of your gun. I have provided input to the Blue Book of Gun Values for several years, and as of the 2005 edition I also contribute to The Standard Catalog of Firearms. Each of these publications is updated annually with Colt Woodsman values and descriptions based on my recommendations to the editor. The two publications are not identical, and each has certain advantages over the other. I recommend that you consult both publications and then make your own appraisal. You can order either one or both by clicking on the links below.
If you order via the links on this page that will help support the cost of maintaining this Woodsman web site, while the cost to you will be exactly the same as if you ordered directly. Your help will be appreciated.
If you do not feel qualified to do your own appraisal with the aid of these books, Blue Book Publications will do a written appraisal for you for only $20. There are links on their web site to their appraisal service. They also have experts available to answer specific questions about almost any type of gun for a small fee.
Woodsman owners usually want to know when their pistol was made, its model and type, and how much it's worth. This guide will not give all the answers for a specific Woodsman, but it will provide you with the basic knowledge to answer those questions yourself.
SERIES AND MODELS
There are three series of Woodsman pistols, corresponding to three basic frame designs. First Series refers to all those built on the S frame as it existed prior to and during World War Two. Second Series includes all versions built on the second S frame design from late 1947 until mid 1955, and Third Series means the third S frame design as used from 1955 to the end of regular production in 1977.
First Series (1915-1947)
The first series Woodsman can be easily recognized by its distinctive profile, which resembles the German Luger in the rakish grip angle. The serial number also provides a sure means of identification, since only the first series has no alphabetical suffix.
Second Series (1947-1955)
The Second Series Woodsmans are the only models that have a push button magazine release, as on the Government Model 45. All post-WWII type Woodsmans, both Second and Third Series, have an S suffix to the serial number. Although it is part of the Second Series, the Challenger model, unlike the Woodsman, has a spring catch at the butt and a C suffix to the serial number.
Third Series (1955-1977)
All post-WWII type Woodsmans, both Second and Third Series, have an S suffix to the serial number. All Third Series guns have the magazine release on the butt, in the same location as the First Series. The Huntsman (third series) replaced the nearly identical Challenger (second series) when the third series was introduced in 1955. The Targetsman, basically a slightly upgraded Huntsman, was added to the line in 1959. The Huntsman and Targetsman continued with the Challenger serial numbers (-C suffix) until 1969, when the serial numbers of all S frame models then in production: the Woodsman Sport, Woodsman Target, Woodsman Match Target, Huntsman, and Targetsman were integrated and restarted at 001001S. 98,999 guns later that would cause problems when the serial numbers rolled over from 099999S to 100000S and began repeating serial numbers already used years earlier, until the error was discovered. Nowadays those zero prefixes confuse many Woodsman owners who ignore the zeroes and think they have an early, low serial number gun.
Each series had a Sport Model with a 4-1/2 inch round barrel, a Target Model with a 6 or 6-5/8 inch round barrel, and a Match Target Model with a heavy, flat sided barrel. For the first series Match Target that flat sided barrel was 6-5/8 inches in length, while in the post war versions it was either 4-1/2 or 6 inches.
The very similar Challenger, Huntsman, and Targetsman were made during the post-WWII years only.
Last updated on April 9, 2008
