Finally!

[Phil Yearout]

According to Bob Rayburn's book which is pretty much the definitive guide for these pistols, it's a First Series Sport. The Sport Model was added to the line in 1933. This one is c. 1938 according to the serial number list in Bob's book.

The flip side...

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Phil Yearout

According to Bob Rayburn's book which is pretty much the definitive guide for these pistols, it's a First Series Sport. The Sport Model was added to the line in 1933.

That makes more sense. The First series, was only the 6 1/2", and had the early style hammer spring housing, which was a checkered oval, The second series added 'The Woodsman', and changed the spring housing. the checkered oval went away and was replaced by the straight serrations. These were the first ones designed for high speed ammo.

[C.O.B.]

Your lucky to have a holster with the gun. I bought a Match Target several years ago and haven't been able to find a suitable holster for it. It slops around in one I use for a Ruger MK1 target pistol.

[edgarspencer]

Rich, I have a bunch of holsters Which I believe are for 6.5" Woodsmans
I was lucky to get this Colt holster with a Woodsman Sport.

[Bill Murphy]

Rich, on ebay right now, there is a carved and laced Heiser for what the seller says is a 4 1/2" Woodsman. It is now at $7.50, but may go a little higher.

[Researcher]

The second series added 'The Woodsman', and changed the spring housing. the checkered oval went away and was replaced by the straight serrations. These were the first ones designed for high speed ammo.

My Father's Woodsman Target that he said got in 1929, and carried all over, is marked WOODSMAN on the left side of the frame and has the checkered oval on the spring housing.

R.K.'s Woodsman left.jpg

Note it on his belt just behind my head on this Minnesota Partridge hunt in 1950.

Minnesota Partridge Hunt 1950.jpeg

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

My Father's Woodsman Target that he said got in 1929, and carried all over, is marked WOODSMAN on the left side of the frame and has the checkered oval on the spring housing.

Attachment 60120

Note it on his belt just behind my head on this Minnesota Partridge hunt in 1950.

Attachment 60121

So it would appear the changes didn’t happen on the same gun, at the same time. Maybe you can call it a ‘transition ‘ gun.

[davidboyles]

I got the bug for a Woodsman several years ago after reading in the book Hemingways Guns that the Woodsman was his favorite handgun. I believe he had 3 of them and carried them in Cuba and Africa. Did not take me long to find a I think 1947 series 3 Model very good condtion. Had owned many pistols in my days but not this gun. Boy was I surprised at the accuracy!! Tracked down on EBay a nice Lawrence holster for it and I was in business. You have a very handsome rig with holster and clip carriers.