Colt Woodsman Military? WR ALC 63 - ANY INPUT APPRCIATED!

3280 Views 31 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Rampantpuna, Apr 10, 2020

Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2020

5

Hello Members,

Irecently acquired a Colt Woodsman that seems to be tied to the Warner Robins AF Basein Georgia.

I bought this pistol from a shop near the base.

The finish seems to be parkerized.

Pls see my attached photos.

Thankyou for any input that you may have.

Be welland safe.

Regards, Andrew

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Gun Firearm Trigger Starting pistol Gun accessory

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1 - 20 of 32 Posts

dogface6

· #2 · Mar 26, 2020

Doesn't show up in Jenkins' book on military match pistols.

Reactions: 2

JohnnyP

· #3 · Mar 26, 2020

I hope it is real, but the fakers tend to over enhance the markings thinking that more is better.

Reactions: 3

kwill

· #4 · Mar 26, 2020

Never say never, but I am quite doubtful that those markings are legitimate. A letter from Colt Archives is the first step.

Reactions: 4

dogface6

· #5 · Mar 26, 2020

Indeed...

Both the finish as well as the markings are suspect, and I've never seen grips like those.

Reactions: 3

PotassiumNitrate

· #6 · Mar 26, 2020 (Edited)

Looks like a first series barrel on a second series frame. It has the wrong front sight for a second series and the mag release button is wrong. I'm not sure if the rear sight is original either.

KNO[SUB]3[/SUB]

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ordnanceguy

· #7 · Mar 26, 2020

I am dubious.

WR ALC = Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. It became so known in April 1974.

The acronym AMU typically refers to Army Marksmanship Unit. I am not aware of any AMU acronym associated with small arms used by the Air Force.

What has happened to the Colt factory applied serial number?

Regards,
Charlie

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Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 26, 2020

Thanks for looking in the Jenkins book for me. I appriciate that!

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Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 26, 2020

Thanks for looking it up in the Jenkins book. I appriciate that.

Reactions: 1

Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 26, 2020

Ok, so it's a second series frame?

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dkay62

· #11 · Mar 27, 2020 (Edited)

These are just some of the strange things I notice about this pistol.

1st series (like) barrel and adjustable front sight.
2nd series frame but mag release looks non Colt.
3rd series slide with fixed sight (maybe from a Huntsman?)
3rd series trigger shape.
Non Colt stocks.
No factory serial number (how do you letter this gun?)
Non Colt finish
Unusual, non typical markings except for the slide.

Unless this gun is some kind of Special Ops rarity....I'd say Run Forrest Run!

Maybe Bob Rayburn will chime in with some ideas...

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Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 27, 2020

3

ordnanceguy said:
I am dubious.

WR ALC = Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. It became so known in April 1974.

The acronym AMU typically refers to Army Marksmanship Unit. I am not aware of any AMU acronym associated with small arms used by the Air Force.

What has happened to the Colt factory applied serial number?

Regards,
Charlie

No other markings seen on the frame but here are some pictures with grips off.

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Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 27, 2020

dkay62 said:
These are just some of the strange things I notice about this pistol.

1st series (like) barrel and adjustable front sight.
2nd series frame but mag release looks non Colt.
3rd series slide with fixed sight (maybe from a Huntsman?)
3rd series trigger shape.
Non Colt stocks.
No factory serial number (how do you letter this gun?)
Non Colt finish
Unusual, non typical markings except for the slide.

Unless this gun is some kind of Special Ops rarity....I'd say Run Forrest Run!

Maybe Bob Rayburn will chime in with some ideas...

Yes Doug, you may be right. I took a chance and it's mine now.

Reactions: 3

prewoodsman

· #14 · Mar 27, 2020

Not a Colt, nor in the Woodsman Series of Pistols, 2nd series or otherwise.
The frame forward of the Trigger Guard is not right. Offset/back set Trigger Guard.
Slide is a Huntsman with a forward Slide Stop Notch cut into it and not correctly cut. Note the original hold open notch is midway of the slide.
I would bet the internals will also show to not be original Colt.
And all the other observation by Dkay62.

Regards,
Tom Platt

Reactions: 5

dkay62

· #15 · Mar 27, 2020 (Edited)

Tom is right. It is not part of the Colt Woodsman series.

Mystery solved. I finally figured it out (mostly). The frame and grips are an Iver Johnson Trailsman TM22PB. They were made from about 1984-93.

The use of the Colt slide (and barrel?) threw me for a loop. Maybe an amateur gunsmith build? Still a pretty cool pistol if you did not pay too much.

I would say it's "military" heritage is dubious.

For more information on this pistol see the link:

http://u18b.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Iver_Johnson_Trailsman_Manual.pdf

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Rick Bowles

· #16 · Mar 27, 2020

It is an interesting project. Looks like someone got a military stamp kit and just had to use them!

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Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 27, 2020

prewoodsman said:
Not a Colt, nor in the Woodsman Series of Pistols, 2nd series or otherwise.
The frame forward of the Trigger Guard is not right. Offset/back set Trigger Guard.
Slide is a Huntsman with a forward Slide Stop Notch cut into it and not correctly cut. Note the original hold open notch is midway of the slide.
I would bet the internals will also show to not be original Colt.
And all the other observation by Dkay62.

Regards,
Tom Platt

Thank you very much for your input Tom. I took a small risk and it didn't pan out but I so happy this community of Colt collectors were available to help me figure this out. Again, thank you and stay well and safe. Regards, Andrew

Reactions: 1

Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 27, 2020

dkay62 said:
Tom is right. It is not part of the Colt Woodsman series.

Mystery solved. I finally figured it out (mostly). The frame and grips are an Iver Johnson Trailsman TM22PB. They were made from about 1984-93.

The use of the Colt slide (and barrel?) threw me for a loop. Maybe an amateur gunsmith build? Still a pretty cool pistol if you did not pay too much.

I would say it's "military" heritage is dubious.

For more information on this pistol see the link:

http://u18b.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Iver_Johnson_Trailsman_Manual.pdf

Thanks Doug! I'm happy you figured this out for me. Such a good lesson here for me. I didn't pay much so that's a plus. I took a small risk hoping it was tied to the base. It was purchased in shop in Cochran, Georgia which is pretty close to Robins. That's mostly why I took a chance. I agree with you, it's a pretty cool little pistol. Thanks again! Regards, Andrew

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Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 27, 2020

Rick Bowles said:
It is an interesting project. Looks like someone got a military stamp kit and just had to use them!

Haha! You're probably right Rick. Thank you, Andrew

Rampantpuna

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 27, 2020

Thank you!!

Thank you for all that helped me figure this one out! What a great group of gentleman. I really appreciate your knowledge and input. Stay safe and well and God Bless! Andrew

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