[ZBill]

I have dated this Woodsman to 1937. I have two questions that hopefully someone can answer. Are these the correct grips? Other ones of this vinntage that I have seen do not have the diamond around the grip screw. Also, why the two drastic differences in the finish on the two sides? Any input is appreciated. The red on the front sight is tempra paint for my aging eyes. Thank you, Bill

[Jim K]

The early grips had the diamond, and it is shown in the 1915 catalog. I don't know when they changed, but I didn't think they kept the diamond as late as 1937, so the grips may be older than the gun. The 1940 catalog shows plain checkered grips.

The difference in appearance looks to me to be due to the pistol having been laid on its left side on something wet or something that held moisture so it rusted on that side. Then someone attempted to remove the rust and reblue the slide with cold blue. (The grips may also have been damaged, and then replaced with an older set.)

Also, please check the mainspring housing of your Woodsman. At the top, where the web of the thumb fits when firing, see if there is a checkered oval or several cross-wise grooves. If there is a checkered oval, the mainspring housing is the old type and the gun SHOULD NOT be fired with any kind of high velocity or high speed ammo. (The change was at # 83,790 (1931), but people played mix and match with those housings, so it never hurts to check.)

Jim

[ZBill]

yes, the grooves on the housing are parallel or cross-wise. I have only used standard velocity ammo in it. There is a little pitting under the grips which supports your forensics. What a great resource, thanks again, Bill

[Jim K]

Your housing is good to go for high-velocity ammo if you want. I would avoid the hyper stuff, though.

I suspect that the whole side of the gun got wet at some time (your guess is as good as mine how) and the grip warped or cracked. So the owner found an old set of grips, or maybe some that Colt still had on hand, and replaced the original ones. It still is a good gun and a fun shooter. I like that grip shape better than the newer long grip. Like the grip on the M1903 pocket pistol, it just seems "right" for my hand.

Jim