THE THREE SERIES

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45 Colt Vs 44 Spcl
1950 Colt Challenger

There are three series of Woodsman pistols, corresponding to three basic frame designs. First Series refers to all those built on the S frame as it existed prior to and during World War Two. Second Series includes all versions built on the second S frame design from late 1947 until mid 1955, and Third Series means the third S frame design as used from 1955 to the end of regular production in 1977.

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MODELS

Year / Serial Number. 1840-1843 1-500. Colt Baby Dragoon Pocket. Year / Serial Number. 1847 1 1848 2000 1849 8000 1850 12000 - 14000. Cloverleaf House Model Revolver.41. Year / Serial Number. 1871 1 1872 4000 1873 5000 1874 6000 1875 7200 1876 9600 - 9952. 1st Model Deringer Chambered in.41 caliber Manufactured circa 1870-1890.
Feb 22, 2021 The Fast Method Thanks to technology, you can now look up Colt serial number on the internet. Simply go to Colt’s homepage and hover your mouse to the Customer Service tab. Click on Serial Number Lookup and then enter the serial number seen on your Colt. You should note though, that the database isn’t totally complete yet.

Each series of the Woodsman had a Sport Model with a 4-1/2 inch round barrel, a Target Model with a 6 or 6-5/8 inch round barrel, and a Match Target Model with a heavy, flat sided barrel. For the First Series Match Target that flat sided barrel was 6-5/8 inches in length, while in the post war versions it was either 4-1/2 or 6 inches.

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The very similar Challenger, Huntsman, and Targetsman were attempts by Colt to meet price competition from less costly .22 pistols and were made during the post-WWII years only. The Challenger (Second Series) was replaced by the nearly identical Huntsman (Third Series) when the Third Series was introduced in 1955. The Targetsman, basically a slightly upgraded Huntsman, was added to the line in 1959.

All post-WWII type Colts built on the S frame, both Second and Third Series, including the Sport, Target, Match Target, Challenger, Huntsman, and Targetsman, have an alphabetic suffix to the serial number.

First Series (1915-1947)

The First Series Woodsman can be easily recognized by its distinctive profile, which resembles the German Luger in the rakish grip angle. The serial number also provides a sure means of identification. First Series Sport and Target models have no alphabetic prefix or suffix. The First Series Match Target has the prefix MT.

If the serial number is on the front strap and contains only numeric characters, with no alphabetic characters, it is a First Series Sport or Target. The only difference between the Sport and the Target models is the barrel length.

If the only alphabetic characters in the serial number are MT, it is a First Series Match Target.

Second Series (1947-1955)

The Second Series Woodsmans: Sport, Target, and Match Target, have a push button magazine release, as on the Government Model 45. The Challenger has a spring catch at the butt.

If it has a push button magazine release just aft of the trigger guard, it is a Second Series Woodsman Sport, Target, or Match Target.

If it is marked Challenger, it is a Second Series. Although part of the Second Series, the Challenger model has a spring catch at the butt, similar to Third Series models. The Challenger will always have a C suffix to the serial number.

Third Series (1955-1977)

All Third Series models: Sport, Target, Match Target, Huntsman, and Targetsman, have a magazine catch at the heel of the butt. In addition, they all have an alphabetic suffix to the serial number: either an S or a C.

If the magazine release is at the heel of the butt,
AND
the pistol has an S at the end of the serial number,
Then it is a Third Series.

If it is marked Huntsman, it is a Third Series.

If it is marked Targetsman, it is a Third Series.

Last revised on June 28, 2009

Colt Woodsman Series
Semi-Automatic
22 LR Pistol

THERE ARE THREE DISTINCT SERIES (maybe even 4 or 5 depending on how fine you interpret it)
This article is a brief rendition of the Colt 'Woodsman series, and will give the average owner insight to this series.
If you are a collector, then you need to do advanced searching

There are three basic series of Woodsman pistols, corresponding to three basic frame designs. There are also some sub-series within the series, like different barrel lengths, sights or grips, etc.

The models referred to here are all those pistols built on the “S” frame as designated by the Colt factory. The First 'Woodsman' series would have NOT been marked Woodsman, however for general purposes it is a Woodsman, but for collectors it is called the pre-Woodsman as noted below. The actual First model Woodsman (that had that name on it) as it existed prior to and during World War Two, was basically the same as the pre-Woodsman. The Second Series includes all versions built on the 'second' frame design from late 1947 until mid 1955, and the Third Series means the third “S” frame design as used from 1955 to the end of regular production in 1977.

The 'S' series is the model number that the Colt factory assigned to this model. Others model designations were 'P' for the SSA (Peacemaker), G for the Government model (1911), 'I' for the Python, 'M' for the 1903/1908 32/380 semi-auto and 'N' for the 1908 25ACP, etc.

Pre Woodsman (1915-1927)

The first Colt 22 RF automatic was marketed as Colt Automatic Target Pistol. There was no inscription on the LH side of the frame at the location where the barrel threads into it.This pre-Woodsman and the First Model can be easily recognized by its distinctive profile, which resembles the German Luger and the later Ruger Standard model, both having the rakish rearward grip angle. The grips were standard checkered walnut. The serial numbers started at #1 which also provides a sure means of identification, with this serial number located on the front strap of the grip, and contains only numeric characters, with NO alphabetical suffix characters.
The slides were marked on the LH side “Colt Automatic Caliber 22 Long Rifle” in 2 lines. There were no markings as to model or caliber on the frame or barrel.

These pistols were designed to use only Standard velocity ammo, (which was the only ammo at that time) and this pistol was identified by a checkered thumbprint on the upper rear web of the mainspring housing. This 'thumbprint' probably was not the intent at that time, but simply as a roughed area on the backstrap to better secure the gun in the shooter's hand following the pattern on their other models.

The grip-frame bottom was 90 degrees to the magazine with the small magazine latch on the rear of the grip frame securing

Colt Challenger Serial Numbers