THE THREE SERIES

LSB#: 140512TA13 Make: Colt Model: Challenger Serial Number: 32842-C Year of Manufacture: 1951 (2nd Year Manufactured) Caliber:.22 Long Rifle Action Type: Single Action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “Colt”, “Automatic / Cal.22 Long Rifle”. The left side of the frame at the chamber is marked with the Rampant Colt logo. Apr 12, 2018 The first is a Colt Challenger. I tried looking up the serial numbers but I can't find it on the charts I've found online. The serial number is 35467-C. I'd love to learn what year it was made.

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.

MODELS

Colt Challenger .22 | Handguns and Ammunition Forum

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.

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.

Colt Woodsman Serial Numbers

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)

Colt Challenger 22 Serial Numbers

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.

Colt Challenger Serial Number Lookup

Last revised on June 28, 2009

Colt Challenger Serial Numbers

What's it worth?
This is overwhelmingly the number one question I am asked, and it is one that I cannot answer. The value depends very much on the exact condition and on all parts and finish being factory original, so it is not possible to give a realistic estimate without a hands on examination. Collecting the Colt Woodsman is a hobby for me, not a business. Please note that I do not do appraisals, so please do not ask me to estimate the value of your gun. I have provided input to the Blue Book of Gun Values for several years, and as of the 2005 edition I also contribute to The Standard Catalog of Firearms. Each of these publications is updated annually with Colt Woodsman values and descriptions based on my recommendations to the editor. The two publications are not identical, and each has certain advantages over the other. I recommend that you consult both publications and then make your own appraisal. You can order either one or both by clicking on the links below.

Blue Book of Gun Values, 28th Edition

If you order via the links on this page that will help support the cost of maintaining this Woodsman web site, while the cost to you will be exactly the same as if you ordered directly. Your help will be appreciated.
If you do not feel qualified to do your own appraisal with the aid of these books, Blue Book Publications will do a written appraisal for you for only $20. There are links on their web site to their appraisal service. They also have experts available to answer specific questions about almost any type of gun for a small fee.
There are also some general guidelines for value determination in my Colt Woodsman Pocket Guide at: Value Factors
Why is my engraved Woodsman not worth as much as a factory engraved gun?
Any Colt factory engraved Woodsman is a rarity. In all the years of production, fewer than 250 were engraved at the Colt factory. Many Colts have been engraved by someone other than a Colt engraver, but regardless of the quality of the engraving they usually will not have comparable value to an original factory engraved gun. The reason is collectibility based on rarity. An identical gun could be created by a skilled craftsman, but it could never be one of the very few ORIGINAL factory engraved Colt Woodsmans. The Colt shipping records show that only about 151 first series (pre-World War II) Woodsmans were factory engraved prior to first sale. Those consisted of 126 Target Models, 14 Sport Models, and 11 Match Target Models.
When was it made?
Regular production began in 1915 and ended in 1977. It is possible to determine the approximate date of manufacture from the serial number by consulting my table of manufacture dates.
The following caveats apply:
- The guns were neither assembled nor shipped in numerical sequence, and overlaps of several thousand numbers are common! A single shipment of a dozen or soguns often contained serial numbers spanning a range of several thousand, which might be typical of numbers used over a period of two or three years.
- Several different sets of serial numbers were used, so it is important to use ALL of the numbers and letters in the serial number. For example: 1001, MT1001