The would-be robber targeted the 88year-old outside the doctor's surgery in Barton Terrace,Dawlish on Monday at around 11.45am.
The victim was pushed to the ground as the attacker tried to steal her handbag but she managed to land punches on him and he ran off.
The woman was left with a "great deal" of bruising down the side of her body.
The suspect is described as a white male in his late 20's early 30's, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 10" tall. Police believe the man may have attempted this kind of crime before.
Anyone with any information is asked to call crimstopers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting crime reference JG/08/1313.