by Colt discontinued manufacturing the Woodsman .22LR semi-automatic pistol in 1977. They began making the John M. Browning designed pistol in 1915 and took it through three major iterations. The original pistols referenced a 1903 Browning patent which was changed to this 1918 patent seen below.
Now thanks to Standard Manufacturing Co., it is being resurrected based upon the 1918 patent which has long since expired. Renamed the SG22, it will feature the standard profile 6 5/8 inch barrel, hardwood target grips, and fully adjustable rear sight to complement the front blade sight. The pistol will be made in their New Britain, Connecticut facility with hand-fitting by master gunsmiths. The pistol is shown below in a bone and charcoal color case-hardened finish. It will also be available in a royal blue finish. There is one major difference between the original Woodsman and the SG22 – the SG22 can handle both standard and high velocity .22LR unlike the original.
Pricing and other options include:
For an additional cost, the SG22 is available with factory scroll engraving, and each model SG22 is furnished with one 10-round detachable magazine. The Standard Manufacturing Company Model SG22 has a starting retail price of $1,299, and is currently available through all major distributors and select gun dealers across the United States.
Specifications:
Caliber: .22 Long Rimfire Capacity: 10+1 Rounds
Operation: Semi Automatic Barrel Length: 6 5/8”
Weight: 2 lbs., 4 oz. (approx.)
There are many .22LR pistols out there but few come with such a history as the Woodsman. I doubt any other semi-auto .22LR pistol available today can boast about Marilyn Monroe shooting it, Robert Ruark’s PH Harry Selby carrying it, or Ernest Hemingway writing about it.
