Make: Thompson Center Arms

Model: Contender

Serial Number: 25 358

Year of Manufacture: 1992

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Break Action, Single Shot, Hammer Fired Pistol.

Markings: The barrel is marked with the Thompson Center address and its respective caliber. The frame is marked with the serial number and “1967 25TH ANNIVERSARY 1992 / Ken Thompson / Warren Center”. There is gold colored trim.

Barrel Length: 10” Octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set atop a ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a fully adjustable square notch screwed to the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: This contender has a two piece checkered wood furniture set with a Herrett style forend and capped right hand thumb shelf pistol grip. There are light handling marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. Overall the stock set rates in Very Good to Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at a 9.5/10

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is faint wear and from use and handling. The gold coloring has tarnished. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this Contender rates in at about Excellent condition. The spare barrel is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions as intended. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Presentation case, 10” .38 Super barrel.

Our Assessment: This 25th Anniversary Thompson Center Contender is a special edition pistol commemorating a quarter-century of one of the most beloved single-shot platforms ever produced. Manufactured in 1992, this Contender is chambered in .22 Long Rifle with a 10” octagonal barrel and features elegant anniversary engravings on the frame, including “1967 25th Anniversary 1992” and the names of company founders Ken Thompson and Warren Center. The frame is adorned with gold-colored trim, now lightly tarnished, adding to its presentation-grade appearance and collectible appeal. This pistol is in excellent overall condition, retaining about 97% of its original blued finish. The bore is bright and sharp with no signs of erosion, rating a 9.5/10. The two-piece walnut furniture features a checkered Herrett-style forend and right-hand thumb-shelf grip, both in very good to excellent shape with only minor handling marks and no chips or cracks. The action is mechanically sound. Included in the package is a 10” .38 Super barrel, expanding the pistol’s utility and underscoring the versatility that made the Contender famous. All components are housed in a fitted presentation case, making this a complete and desirable package for collectors and shooters alike.

Whether you're a longtime Thompson Center fan or new to the world of precision single-shots, this 25th Anniversary Contender is both a functional shooter and a commemorative showpiece—perfect for the range or the display shelf. With its historical markings, extra barrel, and pristine condition, it’s a standout example of American firearms innovation and pride in craftsmanship.