Colt Huntsman manufacture date?

samsmix · September 17, 2023, 02:49 PM

I have a Colt Huntsman, serial # 193973 -C

I have tried to find a manufacture date, but keep getti g redirected to "Woodsman" production.

Can any of you tell me when this was made?

MC 1911 · September 17, 2023, 04:06 PM

I would make a guess that somewhere around 69 - 70. The C suffix stood for Challenger if I remember correctly and they had their own serial # block. When the Challenger was discontinued by the Huntsman the -C was continued for a while.

Jim Watson · September 17, 2023, 05:08 PM

Yup, Proofhouse.com says 1969.
Strangely, Colt lookup does not have it.

samsmix · September 20, 2023, 11:52 AM

Thank you!
Neat little piece, reeks of quality. Accurate as heck.

Schlitz 45 · September 20, 2023, 01:28 PM

Made sometime between January & June of 1969
https://colt22.com/dates.html

samsmix · October 22, 2023, 01:20 PM

Thank you all, this was most helpful. Splendedly accurate little shooter!

Sevens · October 22, 2023, 05:58 PM

The way I'd read it, the Woodsman was -the- standard for a rimfire pistol back in the day. Bill Ruger and Alex Sturm took the world by storm when they offered their pistol and it ate a large portion of market share from the Colt Woodsman.

Colt answered with "the Challenger", a pistol missing some features of the Woodsman, with the intent of 'challenging' the newcomer in the sales market. The Colt Challenger was offered five years, from 1950-1955, and then the gun continued but the name was changed to Huntsman in order to bring the pistol in line with the classic Woodsman name.

Along with the Targetsman, the Huntsman name just lined right up with the Woodsman. The Huntsman was the spartan, no frills offering. No "last shot slide hold open" ability, a heel magazine release and fixed sights. But the Huntsman was made with all the quality and the gorgeous polished blue that you would expect from a Colt pistol.

The Huntsman is a fantastic gun and you should be proud to own it!

September 17, 2023, 02:49 PM	#1
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,270	Colt Huntsman manufacture date? I have a Colt Huntsman, serial # 193973 -C I have tried to find a manufacture date, but keep getti g redirected to "Woodsman" production. Can any of you tell me when this was made? __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

September 20, 2023, 11:52 AM	#4
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,270	Thank you! Neat little piece, reeks of quality. Accurate as heck. __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

October 22, 2023, 01:20 PM	#6
samsmix Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Montana (Montucky?) Posts: 1,270	Thank you all, this was most helpful. Splendedly accurate little shooter! __________________ You'll probably never NEED a gun. I hope you never do. But IF you do, you will need it worse than anything you've ever needed in your life. IF we're not supposed to eat animals, howcome God made 'em outta meat?

October 22, 2023, 05:58 PM	#7
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,729	The way I'd read it, the Woodsman was -the- standard for a rimfire pistol back in the day. Bill Ruger and Alex Sturm took the world by storm when they offered their pistol and it ate a large portion of market share from the Colt Woodsman. Colt answered with "the Challenger", a pistol missing some features of the Woodsman, with the intent of 'challenging' the newcomer in the sales market. The Colt Challenger was offered five years, from 1950-1955, and then the gun continued but the name was changed to Huntsman in order to bring the pistol in line with the classic Woodsman name. Along with the Targetsman, the Huntsman name just lined right up with the Woodsman. The Huntsman was the spartan, no frills offering. No "last shot slide hold open" ability, a heel magazine release and fixed sights. But the Huntsman was made with all the quality and the gorgeous polished blue that you would expect from a Colt pistol. The Huntsman is a fantastic gun and you should be proud to own it! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

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September 17, 2023, 04:06 PM	#2
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 348	I would make a guess that somewhere around 69 - 70. The C suffix stood for Challenger if I remember correctly and they had their own serial # block. When the Challenger was discontinued by the Huntsman the -C was continued for a while.

September 17, 2023, 05:08 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,344	Yup, Proofhouse.com says 1969. Strangely, Colt lookup does not have it.

September 20, 2023, 01:28 PM	#5
Schlitz 45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 373	Made sometime between January & June of 1969 https://colt22.com/dates.html