Make: Thompson Center Arms

Model: Contender

Serial Number: 10971

Year of Manufacture: 1969

Caliber: .223 Remington, .22 LR & .357 Mag,

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 a mountain lion scene on both sides.

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 left hand thumb shelf pistol grip. There are light handling marks throughout. There are some small chips at the edges and a crack forming at the forend. The checkering is sharp. Overall the stock set rates in Good to Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion in the bore near the muzzle. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at a 9/10

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is faint wear and from use and handling. The markings are mostly clear. The screw heads are lightly tooled with strong slots. Overall, this Contender rates in at about Very Good condition. Both spare barrels are 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” .22 L.R. barrel, and 10” .357 Magnum barrel.

Our Assessment: The Thompson Center Contender is one of the most innovative and versatile single-shot handguns ever produced, and early examples like this 1969 pistol, serial number 10971, are especially desirable to collectors and precision shooters alike. Chambered here in .223 Remington with a 10” octagonal barrel, this Contender offers exceptional accuracy, a crisp trigger, and the modularity to easily switch calibers with a simple barrel change. Built with a break-action design and hammer-fired ignition, the Contender became an icon of handgun hunting and silhouette competition. This example is from the early production years and features classic deep bluing, a mountain lion engraving scene on both sides of the frame, and original checkered wood furniture. The bore on the .223 barrel is bright with sharp rifling and faint erosion near the muzzle, earning a 9/10. The wood set, configured for a left-handed shooter with a thumb-shelf grip, shows light handling wear and a small forming crack at the forend—a common occurrence in early Herrett-style grips—but remains structurally sound and comfortable in the hand.

What truly sets this pistol apart is the inclusion of two spare barrels: a 10” .22 LR barrel and a 10” .357 Magnum barrel, both in excellent condition. This trio of calibers demonstrates the core appeal of the Contender platform—one frame, multiple high-performance options for everything from plinking to hunting. The pistol comes housed in a fitted presentation case, making this a complete and display-worthy set.

Whether you’re a dedicated handgun hunter, collector of early Thompson Center firearms, or simply someone who appreciates high-quality, versatile shooting tools, this 1969 Contender is a compelling package. With three excellent barrels, a sharp frame, and a classic look, it’s ready to perform on the range or anchor a serious single-shot collection.