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COLT REVOLVING LONG GUNS 1837-1847

COLT WALKER-DRAGOON MODELS

COLT SIDE HAMMER MODELS

COLT SIDE HAMMER LONG GUNS

COLT PERCUSSION REVOLVERS

COLT METALLIC CARTRIDGE CONVERSIONS

COLT DERRINGERS AND POCKET REVOLVER

COLT SINGLE-ACTION ARMY REVOLVER

COLT PRE-WAR SINGLE ACTIONARMY REVOLVER 1899-1940

COLT POST-WAR SINGLE ACTIONARMY REVOLVER (AKA SECOND GENERATION)

COLT THIRD GENERATIONSINGLE ACTION ARMY 1976-1981

COLT RECENT PRODUCTIONSINGLE-ACTION ARMY 1982-PRESENT

COLT SCOUT MODEL

COLT RECENT PRODUCTIONSINGLE ACTION ARMY 1982-PRESENT

COLT ANTIQUE LONG ARMS

COLT DOUBLE-ACTION REVOLVERS

COLT SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS

COLT 1911/1911A1

FOREIGN CONTRACTS

"PRE AND POST WWII COLT 1911A1 COMMERCIAL GOVERNMENT MODEL"""""

COLT 1911A1 POST WWII COMMERCIALPRODUCED, DOMESTIC SALES, 1946-1969

ACE and SERVICE MODEL ACE

COLT LICENSED AND UNLICENSED FOREIGN-MADE 1911A1 AND VARIATIONS

COLT MODEL 1911A1 1970 - CURRENT

Model 1911A1 was manufactured by Colt until 1971, when the Series 70 Government Model superseded it. Modifications in the new model were slightly heavier slide and slotted collet barrel bushing. In 1983, Colt introduced Series 80 models, which had an additional passive firing pin safety lock. Half-cock notch was also re-designed. Beginning of 1992 another change was made to Model 1911A1 in the form of an enhanced pistol. Included were Government models, Commander, Officer's, Gold Cup and Combat Elite. These modifications are the result of Colt's desire to meet the shooters demand for a more "customized" pistol. Colt chose some of the most popular modifications to perform on their new enhanced models. They include beavertail safety grip, slotted Commander-style hammer, relief cut under the trigger guard, beveled magazine well, slightly longer trigger, flat top rib and angled slide serrations. Model 1911A1 may be the most modified handgun in the world.

COLT ENHANCED GOVERNMENT MODELS

In 1992, Colt introduced a new set of features for its Model 1911A1 series pistols. New features include: a flattop slide, angled rear slide serrations, scalloped ejection port, combat style hammer, beavertail grip safety, relief cut-under trigger guard and long trigger. Models that are affected by this new upgrade are: Delta Elite, Combat Elite, Government Model, Combat Commander, Lightweight Commander, Officer's ACP, Officer's ACP Lightweight.

COLT WOODSMAN

Text and photos by Bob Rayburn

The original Colt .22 Target Model was designed by John Moses Browning and improved by engineers at Colt Firearms prior to the start of production in 1915. Major design updates were made in 1947 and again in 1955. Those three designs constitute what collectors call the three series of Woodsman pistols. First Series refers to all those built on the frame used prior to and during WWII. Second Series includes all versions built on the second frame design from 1947 until 1955 and Third Series means the third frame design as used from 1955 to the end of production in 1977.

Each series had a Target Model, Sport Model and Match Target Model. All models are very similar: Sport Model for example, is merely a Target Model with a short barrel and in some cases different sights or grips. Match Target is nearly the same as Sport or Target Model, but with a heavier slab-sided barrel, squared-off frame at the front of receiver to mate with the heavy barrel and improved sights. In the post-war years there were also three very similar economy models: First the Challenger, then Huntsman and finally Targetsman. The actions of these economy models are identical to higher-end models of the same period internally; they lack only some of the refinements.

These guns were not assembled in strict numerical sequence. Furthermore, even when changes were made, old parts were used up at the same time new parts were being introduced. As a result, there is no hard and fast serial number dividing line for any particular feature and serial number overlaps of several thousand are common.

All models of the Woodsman line, in all three series, are discussed here, but there are numerous variations in details that are primarily of interest to specialized collectors. For more details see Bob Rayburn's Colt Woodsman Pocket Guide, a 96-page pocket-sized guide to the Colt Woodsman line, available for $11 (including shipping) from:

Bob Rayburn
PO Box 97104
Lakewood, WA 98497 or online at www.colt22.com or
www.coltwoodsman.com

Except for NIB, values listed here are for the pistol only, without extras, for guns in the middle of each condition range. These are guidelines to the prevailing retail values for collector or shooter who is buying it as the end user, not what one might expect to receive from a gun dealer who is buying it to resell. Furthermore, within the Excellent and Very Good condition categories, there is a considerable spread in value, especially for the older and more collectible versions. Excellent, for example, means 98 percent or more original blue, but a very nice pre-Woodsman with 100 percent of the original blue would likely be worth twice as much to a serious collector as one with only 98 percent. At the other end of the condition scale, in the Fair and Poor categories, the individual values of component parts become significant, and effectively set a floor value. A poor condition, rusty, pitted pre-Woodsman or First Series Match Target would still have good value if it included the original magazine and grips in nice condition, for example. In addition, there are sometimes rare variations within the broad categories that can significantly enhance the value. Include the original crisp condition box, instructions, and tools, and the value goes up more, especially for high condition early guns. On the other hand, rust, pitting (even very minor), re-bluing, or other non-factory modifications will significantly reduce the values from those listed in the Very Good category or better.

COLT MODERN LONG ARMS

COLT AR-15 & SPORTER RIFLES

PRICING NOTICE: It is estimated the value of pre-ban AR-15s declined 10-15 percent, since 1994-2004 Assault Weapons ban has lapsed, but market has once again spiked due to demand. Pricing status of AR-15 is still volatile. SEE POLITICAL PANIC PRICING.

COLT AR-15 PRE-BAN PRODUCTION 1964 TO 1989

COLT AR-15 PRE-BAN PRODUCTION 1989 TO 1994

COLT AR-15 POST-BAN PRODUCTION 1994 TO PRESENT

COLT CUSTOM SHOP

Colt Custom Shop offers various customizing, upgrading and engraving services on current catalog models For information, contact Colt at www.colt.com or 800-962-2658. Shown here is a sampling of previously customized models.

COLT’S MANUFACTURING COMPANY 2nd GENERATION PERCUSSION REVOLVERS

From 1971 to 1982 Colt produced a line of reproduction percussion revolvers based on the original 19th century models. Generally the appearance and configuration of a reproduction will be similar to the original — refer to photos in the Colt Percussion Revolver section. Parts were manufactured in both Italy and America and during this time were assembled by Colt in the U.S. These are called 2nd Generation Colts. Colt continued to produce limited edition revolvers from 2nd Generation parts through the early 1990s. See section on Colt Commemoratives above for comments on values of commemorative and limited edition Colt 2nd & 3rd generation revolvers.

COLT PATERSON MODELS