Thompson TC Encore Stainless .204 Ruger Single Rifle Extra Barrels & Scopes
SOLD FOR: $2005
LSB#: 220111JS015
Make: Thompson Center Arms
Model: Encore Rifle Stainless
Serial Number: S36073
Year of Manufacture: 1999-2012
Caliber: The installed barrel is chambered for 204 Ruger. There are three additional barrels chambered for 22-250 Remington, 270 Winchester, and 30-06 Springfield, respectively.
Action Type: Top Break Single Shot Rifle
Markings: The top rear of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The left side of the installed barrel is marked “ENCORE”, “THOMPSON/CENTER / SPRINGFIELD. MA. USA”, and “204 Ruger”, the top is marked “PRO HUNTER”. The recoil pad is marked “WARNING / FEDERAL LAW / PROHIBITS USE / WITH BARREL / LESS THAN 16in.” and the TC logo below. The grip cap is marked with the “TC” logo. The three additional barrels are marked “ENCORE”, “THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS / ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE”, their designated caliber, and have a proof mark on both sides of the lug.
Barrel Length: The installed barrel is fluted and measures 28”. The 30-06 and 270 Winchester barrels measure 24”. The 22-250 Remington barrel measures 26”.
Sights / Optics: The installed barrel has no provisions for iron sights and is equipped with a BSA TMD optic with 6-24x magnification and a Mil-Dot reticle. There are some faintly thinned edges and the lenses are crystal clear, the BSA scope rates in about Fine-Excellent condition.
The 30-06 and 270 Win. barrels are equipped with a white plastic beaded blade front sight that dovetailed to a serrated ramped riser fixed to the barrel; the rear sight is a flip-up U-notch leaf with a white triangle aim guide that is fully adjustable on a base that is screwed to the barrel. Each barrel has a one-piece Leupold rail system and the 270 Winchester barrel has a Burris optic with a BDC reticle and 3-9x magnification. The external surfaces show light wear and the lenses are crystal clear, in about Fine-Excellent condition.
The 22-250 barrel has no provisions for iron sights. Equipped via a one-piece Leupold rail is a Bushnell optic with 3-9x magnification and a duplex reticle. This uptic also shows light external wear with clear lenses and rates in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are checkered black polymer with a capped pistol grip, monte carlo comb, sling stud front and rear, and a black rubber ventilated recoil pad. There are only light handling marks and the checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 5/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, which shows hardly any wear and remains pliable. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore of the installed barrel is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore but there is some minor fouling on the lands.
The 22-250 and 30-06 bores are bright with sharp rifling and no erosion.
The 270 Win. bore is mostly bright with light erosion in the grooves and sharp rifling.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational wear on the receiver. The barrels all show minor operational wear with a few faint scratches throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle and its barrels rate in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The previously mentioned scopes and barrels are included.
Our Assessment: In the 1960s, Warren Center developed an unusual break-action, single-shot pistol in his basement workshop that later became known as the Contender. Meanwhile, the K.W. Thompson Tool Company had been searching for a product to manufacture year-round. In 1965, Warren Center joined the K.W. Thompson Tool Company, and together, they announced Warren Center’s Contender pistol in 1967. Although it sold for more than comparable hunting revolvers, the flexibility of being able to shoot multiple calibers by simply changing out the barrel and sights and its higher accuracy soon made it popular with handgun hunters. As K.W. Thompson Tool began marketing Center’s Contender pistol, the company name was changed to Thompson/Center Arms Company. Then, in 1970, Thompson/Center created the modern black powder industry, introducing Warren Center’s Hawken-styled black powder muzzle-loader rifle. The Encore was released in 1983. The Encore uses a different trigger mechanism, designed to be stronger than the original Contender’s and to make the break-action easier to open. The Encore uses a considerably larger and stronger frame than the Contender, and accordingly, is found in over 86 cartridges – ranging from .22 Hornet to the huge .416 Rigby. This Ecore rifle comes with a myriad of shooting options with its three additional barrels and two additional scopes. It retains much of its original finish and the barrel lock-up is tight. Please see our photos and good luck!