Make: Thompson Center Arms

Model: Contender

Serial Number: 93 097

Year of Manufacture: 1993

Caliber: .22 L.R.

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

Markings: The barrel is marked with the Thompson Center address and its respective caliber. The frame is marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 10” Octagon

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade set atop a ramped base screwed 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 furniture set with a Herrett style walnut forend and Skrimshaw capped finger groove pistol grip. The cap has the depiction of a naked lady. There are only minor handling marks present. There are no cracks. Overall the stock set rates in 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 99% of its metal finish. There is faint wear and drag lines from use. 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, spare .41 Rem. Mag. barrel.

Our Assessment: The Thompson Center Contender is a legendary single-shot platform cherished by precision shooters, hunters, and handgun enthusiasts for its modularity, excellent trigger, and rock-solid accuracy. Designed to accept a wide variety of interchangeable barrels and calibers, the Contender's break-action simplicity and rugged design made it a top choice for custom handgun hunting and metallic silhouette competition for decades. This particular example, manufactured in 1993, is the Easy-Open model, which features a streamlined breech release for improved ergonomics and smoother operation over earlier variants. This Contender is chambered in .22 LR with a 10” octagonal barrel—a classic setup for target shooting and varmint control. The bore is in excellent condition, bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, rating a solid 9.5/10. The blued finish is nearly flawless, showing only light handling marks and faint drag lines from normal operation. The walnut forend and finger-groove grip are beautifully figured, with only minor signs of use and no cracks or chips. The grip is capped with a scrimshaw-style image of a nude woman—a personalized and likely custom decorative touch that gives the gun added character.

Included with this pistol is a spare barrel chambered in .41 Remington Magnum, giving the shooter an immediate transition from precision plinker to serious hunting handgun. It all comes housed in a fitted presentation case, rounding out this set as both functional and collectible. Whether you’re a seasoned Contender fan or looking to enter the world of single-shot precision handguns, this package offers versatility, class, and classic Thompson Center performance in one well-kept ensemble.