John Taffin T/C Encore 15” .308 Win. Ported Single Shot Pistol & Scope
SOLD FOR: $1,200.00
LSB#: LSB260521SS081
Make: Thompson Center
Model: Encore
Serial Number: 1021
Year of Manufacture: Modern
Caliber: .308 Win
Action Type: Break Action, Single Shot, Hammer Fired Pistol.
Markings: The rear of the frame is marked with the serial number, “1021”. The barrel is marked with the T/C address and its respective caliber.
Barrel Length: 15” Ported
Sights / Optics: The rear of the barrel has a picatinny rail with a Simmons 2.5-7×28 scope. The scope is in Very Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: This Encore has a two-piece wood furniture set with a Schnabel forend and capped finger grooved pistol grip. There are a few light scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall this furniture set rates about 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 but there is some moderate stubborn fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at about 8.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are light scratches and handling marks throughout. The action has light wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are unmarred. Overall, this Encore rates in at about 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: John Taffin Certificate of Authenticity, shoulder holster.
Our Assessment: The Thompson/Center Encore was developed as a stronger evolution of the company’s famous Contender, retaining the same basic break-open, interchangeable-barrel concept while providing the strength necessary to accommodate substantially more powerful rifle cartridges. Introduced during the 1990s, the Encore quickly established itself as a serious hunting-handgun platform, capable of handling chamberings such as .308 Winchester that pushed single-shot pistol performance firmly into traditional rifle territory. This example wears a 15″ ported .308 Winchester barrel topped with a Simmons 2.5-7×28 handgun scope, giving it a purpose-built hunting configuration. Its finger-grooved wood pistol grip, Schnabel forend, and John Taffin provenance further distinguish it as an appealing example from the era when large-format single-shot pistols were redefining practical handgun range and power. This Encore remains in Excellent condition, retaining approximately 99% of its original blued finish. The metal surfaces show only light scratches and handling marks along with light operational wear. The markings remain clear, the screw heads are sharp, and the pins are unmarred. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, though moderate stubborn fouling remains throughout, rating 8.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The two-piece wood furniture consists of a Schnabel forend and capped finger-grooved pistol grip, both showing only a few light scratches and pressure dents with no chips or cracks and rating in Excellent condition. The Simmons 2.5-7×28 scope remains in Very Good condition, and the action functions as intended.
For collectors of Thompson/Center firearms and handguns associated with John Taffin, this Encore represents the high-powered end of the interchangeable-barrel single-shot pistol concept. The .308 Winchester chambering takes full advantage of the Encore’s stronger action and 15″ barrel, giving the platform the ballistic capability required for serious handgun hunting and long-range field use. Encore handguns became particularly notable for their ability to chamber cartridges normally associated with centerfire rifles, extending the practical limits of specialty pistols well beyond conventional revolver cartridges. With its ported .308 barrel, variable-power handgun optic, excellent condition, attractive wood furniture, shoulder holster, and documented John Taffin provenance, this is a distinctive example of Thompson/Center’s heavy-duty single-shot pistol platform. -R.E.