Colt 22. Cal Woodsman

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Mind/body/wallet.

Mind/body/wallet.

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Joined
Jan 30, 2020
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17
Location
Tulsa Oklahoma
My first Colt Is a Woodsman.​

I took the gun completely apart and performed a deep clean of all the internals and found the condition to be very good for its age. The barrel has prominent rifling with the lands and grooves showing minimal wear. All the springs are still strong with the slide being extremely smoother than most if not all 22 automatics I've handled.

Looking at the feeding ramp I also found little wear while cycling rounds through surprisingly easy. (loading the magazine up and manually cycling them with the slide) Regarding the serial numbers that are in multiple places, they all match up and show no signs of being tampered with. (Serial #17054) The only drawback with this gun is the magazine looks aftermarket. But a little searching and what I assume the most expensive magazine purchase I will make and it will be fine. Everything else on this gun seems original.

After handling this gun and cleaning the parts for 4 hours I have a new appreciation for this Colt. Originally I told myself if it doesn't shoot that I would take it back. But that opportunity has passed and I guess you could say I just fell in love. If it doesn't shoot which I am highly confident it will; then I will just learn a little more and fix it up.

They were asking $426.93. (including tax.)
I paid $350.00. (tax included)​


*Originally this was a post to figure out exactly what I have but before this edit, I was sent a couple of links that will tell me all that I need to know. But still, any info is appreciated. Thank you all for your time as I am new to The High Road and already enjoy the forum and love the positive atmosphere. I don't like how you can only upload 10 files but it is good enough.

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[GALLERY=media, [GALLERY=media, 2819]20200129_224046 by Mind/body/wallet. posted Feb 1, 2020 at 10:54 PM[/GALLERY]2818]
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Looks like a “Pre-Woodsman” from the early 20’s or there about. Does the mainspring housing have a checkered pattern or grooved pattern? Does the serial number on the front grip strap match the number on the 17054 stamped on the mainspring housing?

I’d expect a shop to have it priced for somewhere around $400. Technically it’s worth whatever you paid for. IMO, In that condition, $300 to $350 would probably be a reasonable value.

Assuming the gun functions OK it’s probably still a better shooter than most of the basic .22’s being made today.
 
I think that the value assessments made above are reasonable.
I predict that the shop will price it higher ; the Woodsman has a great pedigree and comparative shopping will show some sky high asking prices.

So - what is the asking price?
 
Are all the parts there, and can you or someone you know put it back together? Is it returnable if it does not work? It looks like a gun people ask a lot of money for and then wonder why it does not sell.
 
Demi-human said:
Where are the springs?

As is, you paid too much.:D

Non abused, great examples of the pistol can go for fourteen, depending on the model.

Do you plan on restoration? That would be a nice one to do.

And Welcome to the HighRoad!
A clean, well lighted establishment!:)
Click to expand...
This is not a full exploded view. Everything is there. I might get into restoring it but have heard horror stories from people owning old things.
(I will be updating the post with more photos and better pictures so please check back in an hour or so. I deep cleaned most internals, I'm still figuring out how to use this forum. thank you for the response.) :thumbup:
 
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Waveski said:
Welcome aboard.

Generally speaking your Colt looks worn , but much better images are needed for any meaningful comment.
Click to expand...
(I will be updating the post with more photos and better pictures so please check back in an hour or so. I deep cleaned most internals and the gun is in very good working order, I'm still figuring out how to use this forum. thank you for the response.) :thumbup:
 
reddog81 said:
Looks like a “Pre-Woodsman” from the early 20’s or there about. Does the mainspring housing have a checkered pattern or grooved pattern? Does the serial number on the front grip strap match the number on the 17054 stamped on the mainspring housing?

I’d expect a shop to have it priced for somewhere around $400. Technically it’s worth whatever you paid for. IMO, In that condition, $300 to $350 would probably be a reasonable value.

Assuming the gun functions OK it’s probably still a better shooter than most of the basic .22’s being made today.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it is a pre woodsman but I am trying to get as much info before I shoot it just in case it's worth a stupid price.
(I will be updating the post with more photos and better pictures so please check back in an hour or so. I deep cleaned most internals and the gun is in very good working order, I'm still figuring out how to use this forum. thank you for the response.) :thumbup:
 
Demi-human said:
Right! I hope he restores it!:):thumbup:
Click to expand...
We will see? Very tempting for sure.

(I will be updating the post with more photos and better pictures so please check back in an hour or so. I deep cleaned most internals and the gun is in very good working order, I'm still figuring out how to use this forum. thank you for the response.) :thumbup:
 
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Waveski said:
I think that the value assessments made above are reasonable.
I predict that the shop will price it higher ; the Woodsman has a great pedigree and comparative shopping will show some sky high asking prices.

So - what is the asking price?
Click to expand...
You're probably right, but there is no way to tell it is a pre Woodsman without doing a little digging online. The pawnshop employee said he priced it with the (non-pre Woodsman) woodsman vale.
Lol, that's one of my rules. I almost always will not sell a firearm. sorry :(

(I will be updating the post with more photos and better pictures so please check back in an hour or so. I deep cleaned most internals and the gun is in very good working order, I'm still figuring out how to use this forum. thank you for the response.) :thumbup:
 
Waveski said:
I think that the value assessments made above are reasonable.
I predict that the shop will price it higher ; the Woodsman has a great pedigree and comparative shopping will show some sky high asking prices.

So - what is the asking price?
Click to expand...
Monac said:
Are all the parts there, and can you or someone you know put it back together? Is it returnable if it does not work? It looks like a gun people ask a lot of money for and then wonder why it does not sell.
Click to expand...
Yes, all the parts are there and in good shape as well, I already past my 48-hour return policy with the Pawnshop I bought it from. From my internal inspection, it is in wonderful operating order and I found no error for the gun to not shoot.

(I will be updating the post with more photos and better pictures so please check back in an hour or so. I deep cleaned most internals and the gun is in very good working order, I'm still figuring out how to use this forum. thank you for the response.) :thumbup:
 
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Monac said:
Are all the parts there, and can you or someone you know put it back together? Is it returnable if it does not work? It looks like a gun people ask a lot of money for and then wonder why it does not sell.
Click to expand...
Yes all the parts are there, I will post more pics of it put back together.
Not returnable. Yes, I see a lot of people asking a lot of money for the woodsman but we will see.
 
You most certainly have a *Pre Woodsman* from the first *pencil barrel* era though it almost looks like it was re-barrelled with an intermediate barrel. Look at the link I posted above to help you determine either way. By number, before 1922.

It is currently marked as a *standard velocity only* .22 due to the mainspring cross-hatch thumbprint. These are easily upgraded to take high velocity by a spring/housing change.

Yours is of sufficient past use to not be harmed in the least by shooting it though I would caution that you put aftermarket grips to protect the originals - just in case. I don't see the diamond on them so yours might be suspect but I would investigate further to be sure.

Usually - almost always - a gun of the wear yours shows has a hammered bore and if yours does NOT - that will be your first step to deciding whether or not to *restore* it and to what degree. Also, original grips if yours are not, can be problematic.

I didn't see a factory magazine. Should be two-tone as I show with mine - possibly another aspect thrown into the mix as to how far you might want to go with restoration.

In any case, with an effective bore (a *bad* bore does not mean it will necessarily shoot poorly) these are wonderfully fun to shoot and worthy of being aesthetically tuned up as long as you watch how much you spend and how you intend to represent the *restoration* later.

In case you haven't noticed - because one must look closely - yours has sights adjustable for both windage and elevation. Hence, the *Target* moniker.

You WILL NOT harm the value by shooting but attend to the standard velocity status it is currently in.

Todd.
IMG_1310.JPG
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
You most certainly have a *Pre Woodsman* from the first *pencil barrel* era though it almost looks like it was re-barrelled with an intermediate barrel. Look at the link I posted above to help you determine either way. By number, before 1922.

It is currently marked as a *standard velocity only* .22 due to the mainspring cross-hatch thumbprint. These are easily upgraded to take high velocity by a spring/housing change.

Yours is of sufficient past use to not be harmed in the least by shooting it though I would caution that you put aftermarket grips to protect the originals - just in case. I don't see the diamond on them so yours might be suspect but I would investigate further to be sure.

Usually - almost always - a gun of the wear yours shows has a hammered bore and if yours does NOT - that will be your first step to deciding whether or not to *restore* it and to what degree. Also, original grips if yours are not, can be problematic.

I didn't see a factory magazine. Should be two-tone as I show with mine - possibly another aspect thrown into the mix as to how far you might want to go with restoration.

In any case, with an effective bore (a *bad* bore does not mean it will necessarily shoot poorly) these are wonderfully fun to shoot and worthy of being aesthetically tuned up as long as you watch how much you spend and how you intend to represent the *restoration* later.

In case you haven't noticed - because one must look closely - yours has sights adjustable for both windage and elevation. Hence, the *Target* moniker.

You WILL NOT harm the value by shooting but attend to the standard velocity status it is currently in.

Todd.
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Click to expand...

Thank you for the lengthy response Todd, I just got back from the range and it shoots pretty well. I made sure to use standard velocity. :thumbup:

There where problems with feeding the new round but I'm pretty sure that is because the mag is aftermarket. I'm hoping this problem will be fixed with an original mag.

I'm pretty sure but not positive if the grips are original. maybe you can tell? (I'll upload a picture of them) If they are like I assume then I will most likely keep them on the gun. I think it really looks like it gives it that old era feel.

The bore doesn't seem to be hammered, looks to be in good condition but I will upload some pics in this reply to get your opinion.

You are right, it sure was fun to shoot. My brother and I really had fun but I will have to replace the mag to see if it fixes my feeding problem. (my other brother wants to re-blue it but I'm not so sure about it.) I really like the old patina look.

I noticed the adjustable sights but didn't have enough time to zero it in. I look forward to tinkering with it next time.

Here are a few pics of the mag, bore, and grips.

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I wouldn’t do anything to the gun but shoot it. The grips look like they could be original or replacements. It doesn’t really effect the value much but someone has checkered the diamond on one and the diamond is missing from the other. That’s kind of odd but not too surprising given the condition and age of the gun.

personally I wouldn’t do anything to the finish. A good refinish will cost more than the gun is worth and a cheap refinish will make the gun worth less. Either way a refinish won’t make it shoot any better.

The mag is definitely aftermarket. Hopefully a new one will fix the feeding issue. Good luck on not getting robbed when purchasing a “new” one.

I can’t tell much from the pictures of the barrel. It looks like a “frosted” barrel based upon those pics but I could be wrong. Given the condition of the rest of the gun a frosted barrel would be normal.
 
I don't have a Colt Woodsman, but I have High Standard Model B, which is very similar. I have seen reproduction magazines for the Model B with the green plastic follower that Mind/Body/Wallet's magazine has. The Model B and Woodsman magazines are very similar, but I don't know if they are identical. I wonder if someone thought they were interchangeable? (And they might be, for all I know.)

PS - A quick check around the internet shows some aftermarket Woodsman magazines with green plastic followers for sale. So much for that.
 
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Waveski said:
I think that the value assessments made above are reasonable.
I predict that the shop will price it higher ; the Woodsman has a great pedigree and comparative shopping will show some sky high asking prices.

So - what is the asking price?
Click to expand...
Sorry If I misunderstood you, I thought you were asking to buy it. You should have said "What WAS the asking price? I updated the post to say how much I paid. $350.00 (tax included) "out the door" is what he said. lol. They where asking $399.00+tax.
 
reddog81 said:
I don’t think he was asking about buying, but asking about what the price was. It’s common courtesy to reveal what was paid when asking what a value is. It helps people gauge where the market is going.
Click to expand...
Thank you for pointing that out, I misunderstood what he was asking. $350.00 tax included is what I paid. I updated the post.
 
$350 OTD is a good price. I need a pre-woodsman and a Series 2 to complete my small Woodsman collection. The pre-Woodsmans aren’t common and most are either in pretty rough condition or go for double what you paid.
 
I don't have a Colt Woodsman, but I have High Standard Model B, which is very similar. I have seen reproduction magazines for the Model B with the green plastic follower that Mind/Body/Wallet's magazine has. The Model B and Woodsman magazines are very similar, but I don't know if they are identical. I wonder if someone thought they were interchangeable? (And they might be, for all I know.)

PS - A quick check around the internet shows some aftermarket Woodsman magazines with green plastic followers for sale. So much for that.[/QUOTE]
You might be right!!! They are very similar and too close for me to tell. The green plastic feeder is almost identical.
Oh well. It was a good guess.
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