Feeling like something missing has been replaced

[Gary W. Strange]

Out of all the firearms I have, I like my .22 rimfire’s the most. They are the ones I can use and shoot anytime. From plinking, target shooting to just walking the woods.
Years ago, I bought a Colt 3rd series Woodsman Sport. I thought at the time, to just be a .22 it was a fine, we’ll put together firearm. It was my pride and joy. Through being poor, just married and starting a family, I had to part with it and a lot more of my firearms. I often think at times, I wish I had back some I parted with by having to sell or trading off because I thought I needed something else more.
A while back I found a unfired, new in box, 1976 Colt Woodsman Sport, for a reasonable price. I found it online and ordered it. It seemed like it took forever to make it’s way to me, even though it was inside a week. I thought I was going to carry and shoot it when I ordered it, but when I received it and really looked it over, I decided to make this little Colt a special presentation firearm. I had a brown leather case made to fit it, from a guy that sells these cases on EBay. Awallfisherman is the seller. He makes reproduction cases for Browning medalist, Hi powers, 1911’s etc and they are very nice cases and the are priced very reasonable. Some cases cost close to a thousand dollars. These are usually less than two hundred. It is French fitted and padded underneath. I ordered some Colt lapel pins and a Colt firearms trade label to dress it up. It is a beautiful thing to look at, all cased up. It reminds me of when I was young and of something that was very special to me. I have other .22 pistols to shoot now. This one will be kept in pristine condition and displayed in my gun room/office. It is sad Colt had to stop producing these fine little pistols and many other pistols and revolvers. Firearms like these will never be made again. The stamped out metal, pot metal, aluminum and plastic has caused them to not be able to be produced at a reasonable price to complete anymore. There is a lot to be said for the firearms being produced now, but people don’t realize what we have lost in these fine machined and very nicely finished firearms. They will never be produced again. In fact we are loosing more all the time. The Browning Hi powers are gone and never going to return. We have gained affordability but we have lost firearms with a sole, ones that people took pride in making and people took pride in owning. It’s just not the same holding a plastic pistol or synthetic stocked rifle as it is walnut and steel. At some point these fine old firearms in new condition are going to be priced unaffordable to people and the younger generation of shooters and hunters will never know what they missed. Times have changed and we have gained a lot but we have lost a lot better than what we have gained.

 

[jar]

Looks great.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Very nice pistol and case. I would shoot it.

 

[Old Dog]

Beautiful set. I would most definitely shoot the pisto!

At some point these fine old firearms in new condition are going to be priced unaffordable to people and the younger generation of shooters and hunters will never know what they missed.

We're almost there already. To a lot of the younger generation coming up, blue steel and walnut is totally unknown, their world is black polymer and matte stainless...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

View attachment 843465 View attachment 843467 View attachment 843468 View attachment 843470 View attachment 843471 View attachment 843473

Out of all the firearms I have, I like my .22 rimfire’s the most. They are the ones I can use and shoot anytime. From plinking, target shooting to just walking the woods.
Years ago, I bought a Colt 3rd series Woodsman Sport. I thought at the time, to just be a .22 it was a fine, we’ll put together firearm. It was my pride and joy. Through being poor, just married and starting a family, I had to part with it and a lot more of my firearms. I often think at times, I wish I had back some I parted with by having to sell or trading off because I thought I needed something else more.
A while back I found a unfired, new in box, 1976 Colt Woodsman Sport, for a reasonable price. I found it online and ordered it. It seemed like it took forever to make it’s way to me, even though it was inside a week. I thought I was going to carry and shoot it when I ordered it, but when I received it and really looked it over, I decided to make this little Colt a special presentation firearm. I had a brown leather case made to fit it, from a guy that sells these cases on EBay. Awallfisherman is the seller. He makes reproduction cases for Browning medalist, Hi powers, 1911’s etc and they are very nice cases and the are priced very reasonable. Some cases cost close to a thousand dollars. These are usually less than two hundred. It is French fitted and padded underneath. I ordered some Colt lapel pins and a Colt firearms trade label to dress it up. It is a beautiful thing to look at, all cased up. It reminds me of when I was young and of something that was very special to me. I have other .22 pistols to shoot now. This one will be kept in pristine condition and displayed in my gun room/office. It is sad Colt had to stop producing these fine little pistols and many other pistols and revolvers. Firearms like these will never be made again. The stamped out metal, pot metal, aluminum and plastic has caused them to not be able to be produced at a reasonable price to complete anymore. There is a lot to be said for the firearms being produced now, but people don’t realize what we have lost in these fine machined and very nicely finished firearms. They will never be produced again. In fact we are loosing more all the time. The Browning Hi powers are gone and never going to return. We have gained affordability but we have lost firearms with a sole, ones that people took pride in making and people took pride in owning. It’s just not the same holding a plastic pistol or synthetic stocked rifle as it is walnut and steel. At some point these fine old firearms in new condition are going to be priced unaffordable to people and the younger generation of shooters and hunters will never know what they missed. Times have changed and we have gained a lot but we have lost a lot better than what we have gained.

Well said, sir, and a beautiful Colt and case!

If you're careful, you can shoot it without taking more than a percent or two off the condition. I would, but no worries if you dont, I understand.

I DID shoot my unfired '67 Colt Muese-Argonne Commemorative and Im glad I did, hoping this one will be in the family for many years. Ive been thinking about setting it up in a nicer display case as you did- the factory box is kinda hideous.

Of course, I was wearing felt gloves......

 

[RA40]

Awesome find! Glad you are reunited.

Tough times call for sacrifice and even now I feel that "it can be easily replaced." That doesn't happen with some items and especially rarer ones those times of past. The sad part is the stuff I've sold lately because of their mass availability don't bring sufficient $ because of they aren't rare.

 

[George Dickel]

Love the Colt Woodsman pistols. Tempting me to look around for one.