[JudgeColt]

Even if you are not a buyer, take a look in the classifieds at the Extensive Woodsman collection of Lowell Pauli for sale .

There you will see some of the finest Model S pistols you will ever see. It is guns like these that convince me the Pre-War Colts are indeed the "Golden Era."

Check them out and see if you agree.

 

[Walter Rego]

It is interesting for me to compare the Pre-War/Post-War Woodsmans with my own example. I have a Target Model that is within 10 digits (mid-180,000 range) of one shown that is a Sport Model. I believe it was originally shipped with the plastic, extended style stocks although the gun was wearing a hideous, warped and cracked set of white plastic Franzite stocks when I bought it.
The Pre-War/Post-War guns from the Pauli Collection range from #157417 - #186848 in both Target & Sport Models. You can see both pre-war oven bluing and post-war "Black Magic", a hot oxide bath bluing and both the earlier checkered walnut stocks and the extended brown plastic stocks examples. A perfect tutorial about "parts clean up" manufacturing and the odd combinations that were assembled as Colt's was just trying to get guns out the door to a gun-hungry populace and to start the transition to the new 2nd Generation Woodmans.

 

[Colt-SL]

Absolutely agree! Thanks for posting this Judge; I'd have missed it otherwise.

 

[colt22dotcom]

I have always thought the postwar/prewar guns were especially interesting. As Walter Rego pointed out some had prewar type blue and some had postwar type. Some were even mixed, with some components oven blued and other components the "Black Magic" type. A variety of box types was also used, some two piece and some hinged. The 6-1/2" guns with plastic grips were shipped in Match Target boxes with the Target end label. Some of the Sport models with plastic grips were shipped in Government Model boxes with a Sport end label.

 

[bae125]

Amazing collection.

 

[colt22dotcom]

Amazing collection.

Yes it is. Even more amazing when the other 45 or 50 of them are included, but the "Want to sell" forum only provides enough room for about 25.

Bob Rayburn
colt22.com

 

[colt22dotcom]

50 more added.

Yes it is. Even more amazing when the other 45 or 50 of them are included, but the "Want to sell" forum only provides enough room for about 25.

Bob Rayburn
colt22.com

OK, figured out how to list the rest of them, simply by replying to my original posting in want to sell. Added another 40 somethings Woodsmans, plus a couple 1902s and an Argentine with a 45-22 conversion unit.

 

[colt22dotcom]

What I bought for myself from Pauli collection

Even though I have no monetary interest in helping Lowell Pauli sell the Woodsmans from his huge Colt semi-autos collection, I do get one great benny from it - FIRST DIBS, since I am the first to see the list and photos. I sold my own collection a few years ago, but once in a while something comes along that I just have to have. Photos follow, along with Lowell's description. No Longer For Sale. Notice non standard 5-1/2" barrel.

Lowell's Description
21. Colt First Series Match Target Woodsman serial number MT7890. 5-5/8 inch barrel, 98% of the original blue finish. Excellent original checkered walnut grips. This Match Target was manufactured on factory order 9148, on May 16, 1940 which indicates it was not a standard production gun. The only thing not standard production is the barrel length of 5-5/8 inches. The standard barrel length is 6-1/2 inches. The factory letter gives the barrel length as 6-1/2 inches which is incorrect; it is actually 5-5/8 inches. See letter of explanation from R. L. Wilson. It is a neat gun and highly unusual with the shorter barrel. And has the original type box. A display case is also included. This Match target has been in my personal collection for about 15 years. In all my years of collecting Colt Automatic Pistols, I have never seen another one like it. This is a very unique Match Target. Included is an original type box and a display case. SOLD

 

[CJS57]

Bob, I am glad you got that one! The best and one of a kind! One of the most fun things in life is when you finally sell your collection, but then realize you can start all over again!

 

[colt22dotcom]

Bob, I am glad you got that one! The best and one of a kind! One of the most fun things in life is when you finally sell your collection, but then realize you can start all over again!

After selling my collection I tried to quit Cold Turkey, but couldn't handle it. I have since been trying to taper off, but my resistance seem to be getting weaker. I have bought three of them from Lowell so far, and I have my eyes on a couple more.

Yesterday I updated the list in the "Want to Sell" forum by marking the items that have been sold so far. I also updated the same list that I maintain at: Pauli Woodsman List

Bob Rayburn
22 caliber rimfire semi-auto Colt pistol: .22 calibre Colt Woodsman

 

[Rich Cape Cod]

The Woodsman series were some of the most beautiful handguns ever offered. The very first pistol I ever fired was a Target model (flat faced trigger - sorry, I'm not up to the subtleties of model designations - probably new around 1952 or so. I was 12...). Two years ago I broke down and bought a nice 4" Target model (1953 or so). Lovely shooter.

 

[colt22dotcom]

30 of them are sold so far.

I just updated the list with the sold items marked. There is also an up to date list with photographs at:

Pauli Woodsman List

Fifteen prewar and fifteen postwar guns are sold. When Lowell asks me to I will be putting the rest of them up on one of the auction sites.

1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, and 22 are sold from the 1st series list (pre-WWII).

16, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 36, 44, 45, 46, and 47 are sold from the 2nd and 3rd series list (post-WWII).

At the end of the Woodsman listing there are 3 more of Lowell's guns for sale: two Colts model 1902 and an Argentine 45-22 conversion unit.

 

[colt22dotcom]

I just updated the list with the sold items marked. There is also an up to date list with photographs at:

Pauli Woodsman List

Fifteen prewar and fifteen postwar guns are sold. When Lowell asks me to I will be putting the rest of them up on one of the auction sites.

A few more are sold, but inquiries from the Colt Forum have dropped way off. Within the next few days, as I find time, I will be posting them on GunBroker a few at a time. I'm glad Lowell allowed me to give everyone here the first chance at them.
You can still get a look at the many very nice guns still available at:

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/wan...many-remain-including-two-1902-argentine.html

and at:

Pauli Woodsman List

 

[colt22dotcom]

Quite a few more of Lowell Pauli's Woodsman collection have been sold, several have been added, and one guy returned all FIVE (5) of them for a refund. Buyer's remorse? List is now up to date again as of 21 Aug 2013.

You can still get a look at the many very nice guns still available at:

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/want...argentine.html

and at:

Pauli Woodsman List

 

[colt22dotcom]

The "Want to Sell" forum on this board certainly gets results! I started Lowell Pauli's Woodsmans for sale list 3 months ago with 75 guns, then added several more as he found them and got them photographed. I just updated it with 10 more sold recently so now it's down to 6 First Series, 1 Second Series, 6 Third Series and a pair of 1902s. He also sent me serial numbers of a few more guns to list, but waiting on photos and details.