Colt also introduced the less expensive Challenger model, which came equipped with fixed sights and featured a magazine release near bottom aft side of the grip. The three Models remained the same, but were built on a longer heavier frame and had a magazine safety, automatic slide stop and magazine release located at the rear of the trigger guard. Second Series 1948–1955 Ĭolt resumed production of the Woodsman in 1948. These pistols had oversized plastic two-piece grips and were marked 'Property US Government', but appeared on the surplus market after the war. In 1941 as the US entered World War II, Colt ceased civilian production of the Woodsman but delivered 4000 Match Target models to the US Government as late as 1945. The Match Target Model debuted in 1938 and featured a heavier barrel with a one piece wrap-around grip known as the 'elephant ear.' A 'Bullseye' Icon was rollmarked into the slide lending the nickname 'Bullseye Match Target'. Original versions were made with a fixed front sight in the first series, but by the latter half of production, an adjustable sight was available. The Sport Model was designed as a field sidearm for hiking and camping in 1933 and had a 4.5' barrel. It was not until 1927 that the name 'Woodsman' was used.

The Target Model was the base model and featured a 6' barrel with adjustable front and rear sights. There are three series of the Colt Woodsman and each series had three models: Target, Sport and Match Target. These features were in place on his Model 19 designs, but a handgun intended for target use did not require them. īrowning developed the Woodsman with a short slide, no grip safety and no hammer. The Colt Woodsman sprang from a design by John Moses Browning and was refined by gunsmiths and designers at Colt's before its introduction in 1915. The frame design changed over time, in three distinct series: series one being 1915–1941, series two 1947–1955, and series three being 1955–1977.

Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1915 to 1977. The Colt Woodsman is a semi-automatic sporting pistol manufactured by the U.S.

Colt match target 2nd series dates