THE THREE SERIES
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.
MODELS
Each series of the Woodsman 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 attempts by Colt to meet price competition from less costly .22 pistols and were made during the post-WWII years only. The Challenger (Second Series) was replaced by the nearly identical Huntsman (Third Series) when the Third Series was introduced in 1955. The Targetsman, basically a slightly upgraded Huntsman, was added to the line in 1959.
All post-WWII type Colts built on the S frame, both Second and Third Series, including the Sport, Target, Match Target, Challenger, Huntsman, and Targetsman, have an alphabetic suffix to the serial number.
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. First Series Sport and Target models have no alphabetic prefix or suffix. The First Series Match Target has the prefix MT.
|
|
If the serial number is on the front strap and contains only numeric characters, with no alphabetic characters, it is a First Series Sport or Target. The only difference between the Sport and the Target models is the barrel length. |
|
If the only alphabetic characters in the serial number are MT, it is a First Series Match Target.
|
Second Series (1947-1955)
The Second Series Woodsmans: Sport, Target, and Match Target, have a push button magazine release, as on the Government Model 45. The Challenger has a spring catch at the butt.
|
If it has a push button magazine release just aft of the trigger guard, it is a Second Series Woodsman Sport, Target, or Match Target. |
|
If it is marked Challenger, it is a Second Series. Although part of the Second Series, the Challenger model has a spring catch at the butt, similar to Third Series models. The Challenger will always have a C suffix to the serial number. |
Third Series (1955-1977)
All Third Series models: Sport, Target, Match Target, Huntsman, and Targetsman, have a magazine catch at the heel of the butt. In addition, they all have an alphabetic suffix to the serial number: either an S or a C.
|
If the magazine release is at the heel of the butt, |
AND |
|
the pistol has an S at the end of the serial number, |
Then it is a Third Series. |
|
If it is marked Huntsman, it is a Third Series. |
|
If it is marked Targetsman, it is a Third Series. |
Last revised on June 28, 2009