Excellent Colt First Series Woodsman Match Target Semi-Automatic Pistol, Hand Selected by Noted Ballistics Expert J.H. Fitzgerald, with Original Box and Factory Letter

A highly desirable Colt Woodsman Match Target with exceptional factory-letter provenance and rare John Henry “Fitz” Fitzgerald association, an especially compelling piece for advanced Colt and pre-war target pistol collectors.

• Factory-letter documented:
  • Listed as one of only four similarly configured pistols shipped together
  • Shipped to Tracy, Robinson & Williams Company of Hartford, Connecticut
  • Shipment date: July 19, 1940
  • Factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, and finish
  • Grips are listed as “Not Listed,” as is traditional for these letters
• Rare “Fitz” association:
  • Included matching-numbered test target is marked: “Selected/By/Fitz”
  • Matching box has “Fitz” written in red pencil on the underside
  • These markings indicate the pistol was selected for quality and accuracy by John Henry Fitzgerald
  • Fitzgerald was a noted Colt figure, ballistics expert, author, marksman, gunsmith, and influential firearms trend-setter
  • Known as “Fitz” to friends and colleagues, he was virtually the face of Colt during the first half of the 20th century
  • He was an expert handgunner at practical ranges, helped establish the pattern for the modern close-defense “snub nose” revolver, and helped popularize the two-handed grip for longer-range handgun shooting
• Desirable Match Target configuration:
  • Elevation-adjustable front Patridge blade sight
  • Windage- and elevation-adjustable square-notch rear sight
  • “MATCH / round target logo / TARGET” marking on the left side of the barrel
  • “THE WOODSMAN” marking on the frame
  • Caliber marking on the slide
  • “P/VP” and “25” markings on the trigger guard
  • Match Target-marked magazine
• Grips and presentation:
  • Early one-piece “elephant ear” grip pattern
  • Fine checkering
  • Nickel Rampant Colt medallions
• Included matching box and accessories:
  • Matching “black box”
  • White-on-black “WOODSMAN” label
  • White-on-black “HEAVY / BARREL MATCH TARGET PATRIDGE / SIGHTS” end label
  • Fitz-signed matching-numbered test target
  • Undated firearm ID card from Hanover, Massachusetts
  • “Shooting Suggestions” pamphlet
  • Instruction sheet
  • Barrel brush, which appears sized for a larger-caliber handgun
  • Sight adjustment screwdriver
• Collector appeal:
  • Pre-war Colt Match Target with documented 1940 factory shipment
  • One of four similarly configured examples in the same shipment
  • Strong provenance through factory letter, matching numbered target, matching box, and Fitzgerald-associated markings
  • Especially attractive to collectors of Colt Woodsman pistols, pre-war target arms, and firearms connected to major Colt personalities like John Henry Fitzgerald