Synopsis:

Scarce, desirable, and well documented military issue Colt Bullseye Match Target Woodsman, fewer than 4000 ordered, a .22LR semiautomatic pistol manufactured in 1942, used as a training firearm by the U.S. during WWII, complete with factory letter.

Description:

Scarce military issue Colt Match Target Woodsman pistol manufactured in 1942 with 6-inch barrel, cal. .22LR, serial number MT13523, with pinned front sight and fully adjustable rear sight. Top of barrel marked "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." and "PAT. DES. 11,0.887". Left side of frame displays "MATCH / TARGET" bracketing bullseye. "THE WOODSMAN" in center area above the crossed cannon arsenal stamp, and "COLT/ AUTOMATIC/CAL. .22 LONG RIFLE" on left slide. Right side of frame marked with "G.H.D." inspector's initials. Serial number MT13523 is on the frontstrap. Fitted with brown plastic checkered grips, each panel molded with an encircled Rampant Colt. Blued magazine, floorplate marked "COLT WOODSMAN / CAL. 22 L.R." Colt factory letter dated April 22,2013 referencing shipment on September 14, 1943 with pistol details to include serial number, caliber, barrel length, finish, and grip. The Match Target Model debuted in 1938 with the bullseye roll mark responsible for the nickname "Bullseye Match Target." During WWII, only 3,912 were made/marked as U.S. military training pistols.

Condition:

VG bright, original, prewar/wartime blue with sharp edge wear and freckling in keeping with a carefully used but neglectfully stored firearm. Ordnance wheel breaking the blue, GHD initials nicely cratered. Excellent original grips, G magazine with noticeable freckling/oxidation/staining, particularly on the right side adjacent to the spine. Bright bore. Correct manual mechanics. Excellent condition factory letter. A nice, totally original, Colt Match Target pistol sold to/issued by the US military as a trainer during WWII.