I inherited what appears to be a Colt, Series One, Pre-Woodsman 22 cal LR semi automatic pistol. I am a novice at firearms but have done some research which leads me to believe that this gun is from the first year of manufacture (1915) as the serial number is 641...(1 - 849 being from year 1915). Nowhere on the gun do the words "The Woodsman" appear. On the LH side of slide is "Colt Automatic Cal 22 Long Rifle". It has adjustable front and rear sights. The Colt logo appears at the rear of the slide (LH side). This gun has been in my family since the 1930's so I am aware of its history. I am not experienced enough to give a good description of its condition, although it has obviously been well used. I believe the grips to be original. Some writing on the slide is worn but writing on the barrel is very clear. OK, here's my problem. I don't want to do anything with it until I know if it is safe to use and also if it is rare enough to treat as a valuable/collectible firearm. If so, do I just take it to a local gunsmith for inspection and repairs (if needed)? I don't want to "go off the deep end" thinking that it is an extraordinary find, but I am not finding any info on specimens with such a low serial number. Do I have something here to be excited about ? Thanks.
Colt Woodsman Questions....Please Help!
- Thread starter TKEGUY
- Start date
Unless you know the pistol has suffered damage in the past and if it seems to function properly, go ahead and shoot it. use standard velocity .22 only. If it is already well used it is past being a very valuable collector item, although it will still have value to collectors of such things. Shooting it more at this point is not going to hurt the value.
And yes, you do have something to be excited about, a Colt pre-woodsman with a family history. Shoot it, enjoy it, and add to the family history.
David
And yes, you do have something to be excited about, a Colt pre-woodsman with a family history. Shoot it, enjoy it, and add to the family history.
David
g.willikers
New member
Unless it's been in a fire or run over by a train, it's probably just fine to shoot.
22s don't put that much stress on things, especially for a quality gun made by a major manufacturer.
The worst that can happen in an old, well used one is the possibility of it going full auto or jamming up, due to wear on internal parts.
So, at first try it with only two rounds in the mag.
If it makes you nervous, find someone knowledgeable to go to the range with you.
Enjoy.
22s don't put that much stress on things, especially for a quality gun made by a major manufacturer.
The worst that can happen in an old, well used one is the possibility of it going full auto or jamming up, due to wear on internal parts.
So, at first try it with only two rounds in the mag.
If it makes you nervous, find someone knowledgeable to go to the range with you.
Enjoy.
Do a search on 'Woodsman' and you'll find some interesting information.
There is a thread here about General Patton:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560235&page=2&highlight=woodsman+hv
that goes into a little more detail about why you should use STANDARD VELOCITY .22LR ammunition---Go to post number 42 or slightly before and read from there. Also when you buy ammunition ask for standard velocity and if the clerk says 'yeah this is standard' make sure it actually says 'standard velocity' on the box like this one does.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...nition-22-long-rifle-40-grain-lead-round-nose
Finally, you may have a real collectors' item on your hands. I'll bow to the Colt people on the forum that may tell you what a first year Woodsman is worth---it's a classic, maybe even an iconic, pistol.
There is a thread here about General Patton:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=560235&page=2&highlight=woodsman+hv
that goes into a little more detail about why you should use STANDARD VELOCITY .22LR ammunition---Go to post number 42 or slightly before and read from there. Also when you buy ammunition ask for standard velocity and if the clerk says 'yeah this is standard' make sure it actually says 'standard velocity' on the box like this one does.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...nition-22-long-rifle-40-grain-lead-round-nose
Finally, you may have a real collectors' item on your hands. I'll bow to the Colt people on the forum that may tell you what a first year Woodsman is worth---it's a classic, maybe even an iconic, pistol.
Welcome to the forum TKE guy and to the Woodsman!
My late dad and I are Woodsman aficionados for a lifetime. I got mine in 1957 and still shoot it. Mine has the 6" barrel.
Those Woodsman can be carried in the woods safely and comfortably chamber empty in my back trousers pocket. My shirt being out or coat conceals it.
For precision shooting steady it's barrel as you reach out with your other hand with your fingers under it's barrel.
My late dad and I are Woodsman aficionados for a lifetime. I got mine in 1957 and still shoot it. Mine has the 6" barrel.
Those Woodsman can be carried in the woods safely and comfortably chamber empty in my back trousers pocket. My shirt being out or coat conceals it.
For precision shooting steady it's barrel as you reach out with your other hand with your fingers under it's barrel.
On the subject of ammunition, check the mainspring housing at the upper rear where your thumb web goes when holding the gun. You will see one of two types of markings. The first is an oval with checkering inside. That signifies the older type of MSH and the gun should be fired with standard velocity ammunition ONLY. If the marking consists of a series of horizontal lines, the original MSH has been replaced with one suitable for use with high speed (high velocity) ammunition and you may use that ammo without damage to the gun.
The Woodsman (and pre-Woodsman) are not difficult to dis- and re-assemble, but they can be tricky. If you want to disassemble the gun and are not sure how, get the NRA book on firearms disassembly or do a search for YouTube info or the manufacturer's manual.
Jim
The Woodsman (and pre-Woodsman) are not difficult to dis- and re-assemble, but they can be tricky. If you want to disassemble the gun and are not sure how, get the NRA book on firearms disassembly or do a search for YouTube info or the manufacturer's manual.
Jim
g.willikers
New member
James, is this an attempt to drum up a little business?
Sneaky devil.
Hi, g.wilikers,
I am not clear on what business you mean. I am long out of both gunsmithing and my day job, so I don't get paid for giving advice and help. (As folks say, advice on a web site is worth what you pay for it.)
Disassembly of the Woodsman is not really difficult, but things have to be done in order and in addition, changes in the guns and disassembly procedures were made over the years, so one has to know just which version is being worked on. While some folks refuse to believe it, a lot of Bill Ruger's inspiration for the Standard Model came from the Woodsman, and the takedown systems are very similar.
Jim
I am not clear on what business you mean. I am long out of both gunsmithing and my day job, so I don't get paid for giving advice and help. (As folks say, advice on a web site is worth what you pay for it.)
Disassembly of the Woodsman is not really difficult, but things have to be done in order and in addition, changes in the guns and disassembly procedures were made over the years, so one has to know just which version is being worked on. While some folks refuse to believe it, a lot of Bill Ruger's inspiration for the Standard Model came from the Woodsman, and the takedown systems are very similar.
Jim
Great old pistol. Fans of the Woodsman and Woodsman variants have dubbed these earliest models as "pre-Woodsman."
I have two now, both are 2nd Series variants. My first one was a 1928 that was very, very much like yours. I absolutely loved it, but it made sense for me to forward it to the next owner after I got my '52 Challenger.
Here is one thing you should know if you have dreams of shooting and enjoying it: a semi-auto pistol (especially a rimfire) relies HEAVILY on a very well functioning magazine for the pistol itself to work properly. Unfortunately, magazines take varying amounts of abuse even in normal use. Your magazine may very well be original also, and a hundred year old magazine has -SO MANY- good reasons to put up a fuss.
Replacement magazines for the First Series Woodsman are quite simply -THE- very specific reason that I sold mine.
I wish you well, and I certainly hope your magazine serves you well.
I have two now, both are 2nd Series variants. My first one was a 1928 that was very, very much like yours. I absolutely loved it, but it made sense for me to forward it to the next owner after I got my '52 Challenger.
Here is one thing you should know if you have dreams of shooting and enjoying it: a semi-auto pistol (especially a rimfire) relies HEAVILY on a very well functioning magazine for the pistol itself to work properly. Unfortunately, magazines take varying amounts of abuse even in normal use. Your magazine may very well be original also, and a hundred year old magazine has -SO MANY- good reasons to put up a fuss.
Replacement magazines for the First Series Woodsman are quite simply -THE- very specific reason that I sold mine.
I wish you well, and I certainly hope your magazine serves you well.
Welcome to tfl tkeguy!
Back when your Woodsman was made, there was only one power level of .22LR ammo. Many years later, a hotter load was developed. The faster (more powerful) ammo was called "high velocity" or "hi speed" or "Hi vel" or something like that, and the regular ammo became known as "standard velocity" .22LR
Decades of most consumers using the high velocity ammo has made it the most common, and some people think it is the "standard" (the usual, the most common). The kid at the sales counter will probably think this, if they think at all.
As mentioned, no matter WHAT the clerk tells you, the correct ammo for the original Woodsman will say "standard velocity" on the box.
Back when your Woodsman was made, there was only one power level of .22LR ammo. Many years later, a hotter load was developed. The faster (more powerful) ammo was called "high velocity" or "hi speed" or "Hi vel" or something like that, and the regular ammo became known as "standard velocity" .22LR
Decades of most consumers using the high velocity ammo has made it the most common, and some people think it is the "standard" (the usual, the most common). The kid at the sales counter will probably think this, if they think at all.
As mentioned, no matter WHAT the clerk tells you, the correct ammo for the original Woodsman will say "standard velocity" on the box.
I'll be the third voice -- standard velocity target grade ammunition is absolutely what these early pistols were designed to run and finding that ammo today requires that you will almost assuredly need to know MORE than the person you might have to ask for help.
Standard velocity .22LR ammo -will- have a higher price than typical cheap, bulk, budget .22LR high velocity. It is simple economy of scale -- the demand for quality, standard velocity ammo pales in comparison to cheap bulk HV. So it will cost a bit more.
Standard velocity .22LR ammo -will- have a higher price than typical cheap, bulk, budget .22LR high velocity. It is simple economy of scale -- the demand for quality, standard velocity ammo pales in comparison to cheap bulk HV. So it will cost a bit more.
Excellent points, Sevens and 44 Amp. I use the term "standard velocity" without thinking that to many folks, high velocity may be the standard today.
I had the same experience in a car dealership. I asked about the transmission in a car I was looking at and was told it had the "standard transmission". I said I would pass because I wanted an automatic, whereupon the salesman told me the automatic was the standard; the manual was an extra cost option! Just shows how old I am!
Jim
I had the same experience in a car dealership. I asked about the transmission in a car I was looking at and was told it had the "standard transmission". I said I would pass because I wanted an automatic, whereupon the salesman told me the automatic was the standard; the manual was an extra cost option! Just shows how old I am!
Jim