Disassembly of colt woodsman pistol

Answer 1

According to the instruction sheet I have from the early 50's,:

"DISASSEMBLY FOR CLEANING

Make sure that the magazine and chamber are empty!

Remove stocks. Press in on upper radius of main spring housing and, using stock screw, push out housing retainer pin. Housing retainer pin is located on grip part of receiver, under the left stock, directly below the thumb piece of the safety lock.

Hold arm by the barrel in the left hand. Grasp the serrated portion of the slide with the thumb and middle finger of right hand. Pull back slide as far as it will go. Press down assembly lock plunger (on top of slide directly in front of rear sight) with forefinger. Let slide move forward. Pressure of recoil spring will be released and slide will feel "free".

Pull trigger to release hammer. Retract slide approximately 1/8" to allow sear to drop into half cock notch. Then press upward and inward on deep uppermost curve of the mainspring housing with the thumb of the right hand. The main spring housing will snap out at the bottom and can be removed along with the sear spring. Remove slide and magazine. The arm is ready for cleaning.

ASSEMBLY AFTER CLEANING

Place slide on receiver and push to closed position. Insert sear spring in position with lug in slot and top resting on the sear and under the hammer strut. Pull trigger to make sure hammer is fully forward. Insert main spring housing into receiver and snap into place. Insert main spring housing retainer pin and replace stocks."

The foregoing is for disassembly and reassembly for routine cleaning of the pistol.