Make: Thompson Center Arms

Model: Contender

Serial Number: 1098

Year of Manufacture: 1967

Caliber: .45 Colt / 410 Gauge 2 3/4"

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.

Barrel Length: 8.5” 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 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 no visible 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 markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp. Overall, this Contender rates in at about Very Good to 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” Ported .45 Colt only barrel.

Our Assessment: The Thompson Center Contender is a landmark design in the world of single-shot handguns, praised for its unmatched modularity, mechanical precision, and versatility across calibers. Introduced in 1967, this early-production Contender—serial number 1098—is a desirable and collectible piece from the model’s first year of production. Chambered in .45 Colt / .410 Gauge, this octagon-barreled variant offers both the power of a centerfire pistol round and the utility of a shotshell platform, making it an ideal choice for varmint control, wilderness carry, or range novelty. Its break-action design and external hammer setup make operation intuitive, and the legendary Thompson Center accuracy is built into every barrel. This example features an 8.5” octagonal barrel with a bright bore and sharp rifling, rating 9.5/10. The metal retains approximately 97% of its original blued finish, with only light wear from handling. The Herrett-style checkered wood grip and forend are well fitted and present a traditional aesthetic, showing some minor edge chipping and a developing crack at the forend—common on early Contenders but still structurally solid. The thumbrest grip offers excellent control, and the trigger breaks cleanly as expected from these finely tuned pistols.

Included is a second 10” ported barrel chambered for .45 Colt only, expanding the pistol’s versatility and underscoring the Contender's reputation for easy barrel interchangeability. Housed in a presentation case, this early-production Contender is not only a high-quality single-shot handgun but also a historically important piece for collectors. Whether you're a fan of precision pistol shooting, hunting with specialty handguns, or simply appreciate the mechanical excellence of early Thompson Center craftsmanship, this Contender represents a rare opportunity to own a foundational firearm from the golden era of American single-shots.