Some very nice classic Colt .22 pistols !
1st series Woodsman Sport
- Thread starter S&W ucla
- Start date
John F.
Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2009
- Messages
- 241
- Reaction score
- 249
The early-20's that was shown above, purchased for $350, is, technically, I think, a Pre-Woodsman, as I don't see "The Woodsman" on the frame.
AMMO: One thing it's well to be aware of on the prewar guns is which ones should only be used with standard velocity ammo. The early Colts had an oval patch of fine checkering in the arch of the grip to assist with takedown, IIRC. Those were designed/built when standard velocity ammo was common, and people report split cases, battering, etc. when using them with high velocity ammo. Later, they hardened parts and provided a more powerful recoil spring to make them work well with either type ammo. Those have a serrated area where the old checkered oval used to be. Colt also sold the parts to convert early Woodsmen for high velocity ammo, so it's possible to find early ones that are set up for HV ammo.
All after WW2 were of course made suitable for HV ammo. I hope this helps!
John
AMMO: One thing it's well to be aware of on the prewar guns is which ones should only be used with standard velocity ammo. The early Colts had an oval patch of fine checkering in the arch of the grip to assist with takedown, IIRC. Those were designed/built when standard velocity ammo was common, and people report split cases, battering, etc. when using them with high velocity ammo. Later, they hardened parts and provided a more powerful recoil spring to make them work well with either type ammo. Those have a serrated area where the old checkered oval used to be. Colt also sold the parts to convert early Woodsmen for high velocity ammo, so it's possible to find early ones that are set up for HV ammo.
All after WW2 were of course made suitable for HV ammo. I hope this helps!
John
To expand on First Series Woodsman and HV ammo a bit, this is an excerpt from a post I wrote a few years ago when I was looking into these:
Early models, those built prior to 1932 or so, were not designed for high velocity .22LR. It didn't yet exist. While there is overlap, later pistols were. One can tell the difference by the appearance of the markings in the area of the back strap where it meets the web between thumb and forefinger. HV capable has straight horizontal lines. Standard velocity only has checking/checkering.
Early models, those built prior to 1932 or so, were not designed for high velocity .22LR. It didn't yet exist. While there is overlap, later pistols were. One can tell the difference by the appearance of the markings in the area of the back strap where it meets the web between thumb and forefinger. HV capable has straight horizontal lines. Standard velocity only has checking/checkering.
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Locked
