Anyone Knowledgeable on Colt Woodsmans? *pics added post #23*

[bigmoose]

Forgive me for mentioning the "C" word here on the S&W forum, but this is the only forum I belong to and I like it here.

I just bought a Colt Woodsman c. 1937 with the 6 1/2" barrel. It is in very nice condition. Nice enough condition that it wasn't a detractor for picky ol' me. It has an adjustable front sight fitted with an ivory bead. Apparently, they were a factory option back then. I am into it for $600 plus tax. Is that about market price? I have been wanting a nice one for awhile, so if I overpaid, no big deal. They are accurate and a joy to shoot so it needed to get added to the collection.

Thanks for any insights. I'll post pics when I get a chance.

 

[2152hq]

Sounds like a fair price. I was never in to the Colt 22 autos much but from what I've seen lately, they get tagged with that price range if in nice condition.
Should be a High Speed ammo gun by that date.

Remember to load the mag with no more than 7rds after paying taxes on 4-15-13. Ain't that a shame...

 

[David LaPell]

The problem with trying to figure out how much Woodsman's are worth is because there are three different series of them. You have the first series. The first was from 1915-1947, the second from 1947-1955 and the third from 1955-1977. Each series had a short 4 1/2 inch barrel and a 6 1/2 inch barrel that was round, and a target version that had a 6 1/2 inch flat sided barrel. The second series is easy to spot because the mag release is a push button 1911 style and the first and third are on the butt. The first series such as yours are worth the most, with the standard 6 1/2 inch round barrel being the least. Here is a good website for the Woodsmans.

22 caliber rimfire semi-auto Colt pistol: .22 calibre Colt Woodsman

 

[Dominus_Lex]

The price sounds fair, and you are right they are a joy to shoot. I would say you did well...

 

[30-30remchester]

These are some of the finest, best balanced, natural pointing handguns ever built. I have shot 3 flying birds with one of these. I used one while guiding big game hunters. My old Woodsman has literally finished off over a 100 deer and elk. Yours sounds in great condition. My old Colt has little finish left and rests in a double smooth Heiser flap holster. My first shot with this gun when I purchased it a long ago, was at a flying raven while driving the tractor. I actually hit it with the first shot. My young nephew was riding with me and at the shot and gave it its name. He said that was quite a "cridder getter" and it stuck.

 

[Zjnovak]

Re: Anyone Knowledgeable on Colt Woodsmans?

I too have a first series Woodsman. In fact it was the first handgun I ever shot. A gun show I went to had one for $997. When I came back later it was gone, so it either sold or he kept it. Either way, I'd say you did well.

 

[Stevens]

My only knowledge about them is I've wanted one since I first time I saw the one owned by a friend of my Dad. That was 50 years ago.
Steve W

 

[fat tom]

You did well. I've always liked them and have had many go through my hands over the years. I just can't seem to hang on to one for one reason or another. My only remaining Woodsman is a Second Series Match Target and I've been contemplating selling it too.
f.t.

 

[Walter Rego]

A 1st or 2nd Series Woodsman is like a K-22, everyone with enough interest in guns to own more than a couple should own one. There is something about guns from that era that just cannot be duplicated with modern guns and they are a joy to handle and shoot. Here's one that I rescued a few years ago. It had a hideous set of warped Franzite white plastic target grips on it and I found a set of pre-war style stocks and later the extended length brown plastic stocks that were correct for the post-war parts clean up manufactured guns.

 

[David LaPell]

I have had my grandfather's second series Woodsman since 1995 and I have killed a lot of game with it, and I know he said he killed more game with it than any other gun he ever owned, and that was saying a lot. Back when in 1997-1998 my grandfather was not in the shape anymore to deal with the beavers that were plugging up the culvert to his pond so I decided to deal with it. It was a really bad year and I was shooting them as fast I as could nearly every day. I popped one with a .30-30 but it was noisy and was a waste of ammo so I would sit on the bank at the back of the pond with that Colt. I got one that way one summer evening and two more in the winter. I shot squirrels, grouse and some other game with that gun. I have owned many .22 pistols but they all can't hold up to that Woodsman. If you have a chance to get one I strongly recommend it.

 

[Bat Guano]

Some years ago I found a prewar First Model 6 1/2" for sale at a bargain price. The original stocks were gone and replaced by whittled-out replacements, and it had a lot of carry miles on it as evidenced by honest blue wear. As a matter of fact the inside of the holster at the toe was worn through--but the pistol was mechanically perfect and had been well cared for. Not a collector's item, but definitely a classic shooter.

My father was an LEO but not a gun person. But he did say that way back in the day he had wanted a Woodsman and never gotten one. I tend to think of this one as "his" pistol although it never was. One of the luxuries he never had while supporting his family all those years.

 

[S&W ucla]

In Skeeter Skelton's recollections he said the 4.5" woodsman sport was the first pistol he ever shot. He would go with his dad to shoot at prairie dog towns with it. They are one of my favorite handguns.

 

[DCWilson]

$600 for a high condition prewar Woodsman is more than a fair price; it's a good one. I paid more than that for mine a couple of years ago, and I thought I got a deal at that time.

I waited more than 50 years for mine. When I was 10 one of my father's friends brought out a Woodsman when we were at his house one day. He knew I was interested in guns and that my father mostly wasn't. A few years ago I started bidding on good ones in national auctions, and I broke lucky one day. And here it is.

A 1940 specimen.

These are fine, fine pistols.

 

[310Pilot]

Hmm, a 1st Series Woodsman in good condition for $600? Yes, I would say you did well, it is probably worth somewhat more (possibly considerably more). The Woodsman is THE classic .22 semi-automatic pistol, as the K-22 is THE classic .22 revolver - one should have at least one of each! Frankly, the Woodsman is even elegant to look at!

 

[bigmoose]

Guys,
Thanks for all the comments, information, and pictures. I am looking forward to shooting it...but right now it is just too cold and snowy.

 

[S&W ucla]

Don't shoot your eye out kid! Be careful with that evil 10 round assault pistol. Are you only loading 7 rounds like a good little cuomo? Sorry, just had to crack a little on your location. Enjoy that great gun, another of John Moses Browning's best!

 

[bigmoose]

My friends and I are extremely upset with the NY State Governor and Legislature. The recently enacted laws are ridiculous. Our favorite local gun shop is closing because of it. He just can't afford to do business under these onerous laws. Just another reason, in a long long list, to move out of this state.

 

[S&W ucla]

Like gun laws, woodsmans are a slippery slope. Next will be a sport model, then a match target, then a pre-woodsman, oh and there are two more series! 1915-1977 thats a lot a models to choose from. If you decide to get out of dodge, anybody that likes Smiths and C***s meets the stringent immigration requirements for Alabama.

 

[labworm]

There has been one for sale at the LGS, and has been for sale a very long time. Serial #4565x-S $999.95 OTD

 

[Big Fred]

What would you guys say about a REBLUED first model match target still wearing the original elephant ear grips that are nice? Price is $895, but probably could be had for a hundred less. I really like it, but the reblue really turns me off, thats why I've let it sit for the past 6 months.