Lot 147

Scarce Glahn Factory Engraved Colt Woodsman Match Target Pistol

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Scarce Glahn Factory Engraved Colt Woodsman Match Target Pistol

Estimate: $40,000 - $65,000

Starting Bid: $35,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Outstanding, Well-Documented, and Extremely Rare Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Colt First Model Woodsman Match Target Semi-Automatic Pistol with Highly Desirable "Elephant Ear" Grip, Factory Box, and Factory Letter Designed by the legendary American firearms designer John Moses Browning, the Colt Woodsman pistol became a true "Jack of all trades" pistol of the 20th century in this country, exhibiting both a rugged and reliable nature that was highly valued by the Americans that carried them as well as refined elegance that was highly regarded the world over. Browning's design for these pistols was refined by Colt's engineers around the start of World War I, and though Colt initially released them for commercial sale in 1915, they would not be officially called the "Woodsman" until 1927. These pistols quickly grew in popularity due in large part to a range of different configurations, and it can be reasonably argued that there are perhaps few other firearms that found a wider range of uses in 20th century America than the Colt Woodsman pistol. The Woodsman found efficacy with Americans from all walks of life, and though Colt halted commercial production in 1941 with the U.S. entry into World War II, they made at least 4,000 of them for use in training to support the American war effort. These beautifully crafted little .22 pistols found themselves in the hands of youngsters as a first firearm, trappers and hunters for dispatching small game, competition shooters for precise target shooting, slaughterhouse workers for quickly putting down livestock, and in the hands of American GIs for pistol training prior to heading to war. From 1915 to 1977, approximately 690,000 of these "Woodsman" pistols were produced across multiple variations and a few name changes, showing the timelessness of the design across over 60 years of production. The design continued on in spiritual successors such as the Browning Nomad and Browning Buckmark pistols which essentially utilize a slightly updated version of the same design. This particular Woodsman was manufactured in 1940 and is truly an exquisite example of Colt's exceptionally high quality of manufacturing prior to the outbreak of World War II. By the time this pistol was made, Colt had been producing firearms for nearly a century, and many would argue that the inter-war years marked the pinnacle of the quality that the company produced. This pistol was made just before America's entry into World War II and is an incredible example of that elite level of fit and finish, as it remains in extremely high condition and appears as though it could have left the factory yesterday. This pistol truly represents a historic time capsule, giving us an incredible glimpse into the quality and might of American manufacturing. The quality materials, precise hand fitting, delicate polishing, and masterful finishing are all proudly on display. In many ways, a pistol such as this is an excellent reminder of the incredible things this country has built in the past and what we are capable of in the future. If we as Americans could take an item as ordinary as a .22 pistol and make it as rugged and beautiful as this, is there anything we are not capable of? This is a scarce and truly stunning example of a Wilbur Glahn factory engraved Colt First Model Woodsman Match Target pistol that remains in astonishingly high condition. According to "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson, only eight factory engraved examples of the First Model Woodsman Match Target pistols are listed in the factory ledgers, making this an extremely scarce piece. This specific pistol is pictured among the work of Wilbur Glahn on p. 603 of "The Colt Engraving Book, Vol. II" by Wilson where it is again confirmed that only eight of this model are listed in the ledgers as factory engraved. Wilbur Glahn, like so many 20th century Americans, was the offspring of immigrants, and the Germanic style learned from his father clearly shows through in his engraving work. The pistol features lovely flourishes of floral scrollwork on a stippled background scattered across the major components, keeping with the factory Grade A pattern, providing for lovely enhancement of an already beautiful pistol. On their own, these Match Target pistols were already one of the most attractive and most effective rimfire target pistols of their time, while one in this condition with this tasteful level of factory embellishment truly becomes an elite collector's item. The included factory letter lists the pistol in .22 caliber with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, wood grips, and factory Grade A engraving when shipped to Kennedy Brothers Arms Co. in St. Paul, Minnesota, on 20 April 1940 in order no. 896 as the only gun of its type in the shipment. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent marking, while the left has the Match Target "bullseye" marking and "THE WOODSMAN". The left side of the slide has the caliber marking and Rampant Colt. The serial number is marked on the butt near the magazine well. The left of the trigger guard is marked "4/VP", while the right is marked "99". It is fitted with an adjustable blade front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, the highly desirable checkered walnut "elephant ear" grip with Colt medallions, a full-blue magazine with correct Match Target markings on the base, and a shoe on the trigger, which may have been factory installed. The included correct factory box is renumbered to match the gun and has an added partial "ENGRAVED" label on the lid.

Manufacturer: Colt

Model: Match Target Woodsman

BBL: 6 1/2 inch slab sided

Gauge: 22 LR

Finish: blue

Grips: walnut

Serial NumberMT12220

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Provenance: Ex-George S. Lewis Jr. Collection
  • Condition: Excellent plus with 99% plus of the original blue finish, only the slightest handling evidence, and crisp engraving throughout. The grip is also excellent plus with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This extraordinary Wilbur Glahn factory engraved Colt First Model Woodsman Match Target pistol would be nearly impossible to improve upon!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000