The first gun I ever shot was a Colt Woodsman that was my Dad's. Unfortunately he had me shoot it mostly for his amusement, as he knew I would lose control of it, and he got a laugh out of that, and would tell the story years later. He did the same with a shotgun--he caught the shotgun, I ended up on my butt. I have my Dad's Winchester 94, but don't know where the Woodsman is, so decided to replace it with one of my own.

Anyway--after years of looking I found one in very good shape. It's a pre-Woodsman, made in 1926, and the bluing and grips look very good. Found it by chance in an LGS I stumbled on.

It's now in California 10-day purgatory, so I don't have photos yet.

However I just got off the phone after a long conversation with Tom Platt, Master Gunsmith for the Woodsman. He owns serial numbers 1 and 7, and a couple of hundred other Woodsman models. An internet search had led me to to colt22.com, Robert Rayburn's knowledge base of all things Woodsman, including maintenance. On that Tom Platt is not only the expert, he's invented a tool kit for disassembly and assembly of Woodsman pistols. I'd heard that he sometimes refused to sell tool kits to people who hadn't taken one apart the old-fashioned way, so decided to sell him my story.

He called me just a while ago from Kingman, Arizona, and we had a long talk about Woodsman pistols, our youthful adventures with our Dads, and how we had gotten soft and didn't like to kill anything any more.

If you have a Woodsman that needs some work, maybe missing parts, Tom Platt is the person to contact. HE has a horde of spare parts, makes his own if necessary, and builds match target Woodsman pistols for Camp Perry competition.

As is so often in this community of firearms enthusiasts, experts are happy to share their expertise, and he has offered to talk to me if I have any problems with my new Woodsman.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sjtill,

It will be interesting to see what variation you got. Woodsman, like the High Standards are some elegant pistols. I had a 6" Match Target which was a peach to take along to the indoor range. I found it locally with mismatched grips. Walnut on one side and a lighter blonde color stock on the drivers side. Oh beautiful quality blueing of the era. My Match Target was 2nd Generation. Very nice triggers on them and the solid steel slide assures feeding.

David, I enjoyed your excitement of your recent LGS trips.

This is a Pre-Woodsman, otherwise known as the Cold .22 Target Model, built in 1926. It has the 6 inch+ medium taper barrel. I can’t yet say what the rifling looks like, but I doubt it was shot much based on the condition of the bluing.
3 more days in purgatory....
Yes there will be pix.

At least a bit similar to a HD Military High Standard. I dont believe one could ever shoot the older rimfire pistols too much. My Model A High Standard was a mechanical masterpiece with its quality machined parts, fine springs and, they went the distance on these early guns to utilize checkering and serrations. A Model A would impress the best pistol shooter it is a excellent rimfire pistol. The Colts too will make a shooter smile when they break that trigger. What a sweet old gun.

Tom is a first class guy, and took care of me by repairing the faulty sear/trigger issue I was having with my rough around the edges first year production challenger. It runs perfectly now and for such a rough looking gun shoots terrific. His turn around time on work is prompt and prices are reasonable

Since we're all anxiously awaiting pics, thought you might like this one. I found this 3rd Series Woodsman Sport for like $400.00 back in the 1980's with the box and all accoutrements. Although I wish I had a "Target" (heavy barrel) 4", its hard to believe any .22 can beat this for pure accuracy. I'll never sell it.

These are really beautiful pistols, aren't they?
Then there's the mystical connection with J M Browning.

Congrats sjtill on at long last finding a Cold Woodsman. I also have very fond memories of shooting in my youth with my Uncle and those were very special times. He had a Belgium Browning Auto 5 12 gauge and when I turned 16 I saved every penny from my first job to get one for myself in 1967 that I have to this day.

Congratulations on finding your Woodsman it sounds like it's a nice one!

My first pistol was this Colt Woodsman Match Target which was given to me by my father on my 18th birthday. Thank goodness I had the foresight to keep it, it'll be going to my son one of these days.

Wow, ridewv, that is beautiful, and you have the whole package! And of course you will never sell it. That’s why Woodsman pistols are getting so expensive. Beautiful, beautifully made, accurate, family heirlooms, and the mystique of J M Browning.

Thanks sjtill.
I should try to order the tool kit for assembly that you referenced as I do recall struggling putting it back together last time I had it apart.

My Dad passed this one down to me. He said it was new when he purchased it. I've never fired it nor did he.

Ridewv, email me and I’ll give you Tom Platt’s email and phone number. He’d love to hear your story, I’m sure.

I'd love to have a Woodsman. It'd go right next to the Model 41.

Here is mine, Seen lower right. I have the original grips and box. No papers.


I wish i had an extra 9 mags. It is by far one of the most fun guns to shoot. What is the tool you are all talking about?

Here’s a link to Bob Rayburn’s colt22.com website, in which he discussed the use of Tom Platt’s tool kit to ease maintenance of the Woodsman.

Woodsman Maintenance

awesome thanks

I wanted to buy one as my first handgun back in 71. However, based on a combination of the price and my salary, I ended up with a High Standard DuraMatic. A Colt sure would have been nice.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
I wanted to buy one as my first handgun back in 71. However, based on a combination of the price and my salary, I ended up with a High Standard DuraMatic. A Colt sure would have been nice.

Your High Standard DuraMatic sure is nice too, still have it?

The Woodsman Sport 4 in was my first hand gun back in the day 157 bucks , then a Colt Commander 45 for 225.