Type I and Type II Contender Barrels?

[Zenshin]

What's the difference between them?  Thanks, Dennis

[Curtis]

This is some info I copied off the 'net years ago.  I believe Ladobe knows this fellow Ron and can attest to the information.
 
Curtis

Barrel designations
T-1 Octagon, One line address, flat base, set screw,
short site. 6 caliber's T/C Arms Rochester N.H. Caliber (There are variations
also)1967

 
Pre Type 2, but not Type 1 has the N.H. BUT the caliber is located at the
muzzle end

 
T-2 Octagon, 2 line address, flat base, set screw,
significant
identification is a period after the N.H. This type has the
largest caliber selection and dates 1967-1972

 
T-3 Octagon, 2 line address, flat base, set screw, now the period is only
after the H. NOT THE N 1973-1975 (bull barrels also found is this vintage)

 
T-4 Octagon, 2 line address, flat base, set screw is replaced with a roll pin
to hold in locking lug. (bull barrels and 14" found in this vintage)

 
T-5 Octagon or bull the significant change is the flat base that now has a
step on it..if you check any of you 14" barrels it will have this step..

 
Now with in each of the above there are variations that mainly address
sites.Sites are another classification in there own right. For those of you
shooters out there T-1 - T-4 typically have the solid locking lug, which
generally require changing to use on the newer frames,easy open started at
serial # 195,000 .

 
T-6 thru T-9 are current variation that describe hunter barrels, stainless,
16", 21" scope models and so on. Unofficially I have deemed the T-9 indicating
the newest rear site as used on the Encore and post-fire Contenders.once we
clearly sort through the 6 thru 8s this may change again. One thing for for sure
as a collector of TC's..just when you think you have it figured out....something
else jumps up and changes every thing.
Good shooting and
collecting,
Ron

[Zenshin]

Curtis thanks!  Dennis

[Hopalong7]

        Curtis, I'm sure you're speaking of Ron Sable who runs RJ's Gun in Nazareth, PA.  I've dealt with Ron on numerous occasions and always found him to be A-1 OK!  Ron is very knowledgeable about TC's along with old Colts, Rugers, and  S&W's, and collects, buys and sells all of the above.  He's also very actice in the TCA.  I think his web site is listed as RJ's Guns, but I don't think he has your info posted anymore.  His info is quite accurate.
Walt
JFWIW The biggest difference between type I and II is about $400.00.

[Curtis]

Walt, thanks for the confirmation.  I'm sure you're right about Ron.
 

JFWIW The biggest difference between type I and II is about $400.00.

That must be why I don't have one!  LOL
 
Curtis

[Ladobe]

Ron has been out of the Contender thing for quite a long time unfortunately, FWIW.   It's probably been 10-12 years or more since I last talked to him , but he was a great person to discuss the finer points of the Contender's early history with.
 
Also FWIW since we're talking about "Type" barrels... a real "find" would be a Type 1 Contender cased kit with both 10" and 8 3/4" octagon barrels as they were not offered for very long.   I didn't catch on about them at the time or I would have tried to buy one of each offered.   They were quite cheap then, would be approaching priceless now.   My very first Contender included a 38 Special 8 3/4" octagon.   Bought it in very early '68, but it's serial number put it as '67 manufacture.   A buddy and I used to load wadcutter ammo for it by the 5 gallon bucket full for a range session, and not leave the range until we ran out of ammo (or our hands gave out first).  Shooting hundreds/thousands of rounds in those pre easy open frame days was a workout even for strong, young hands.   But, it was a good tired/sore.   

[Hopalong7]

Larry,  Ron called me maybe a year ago +/- and told me he had just purchased a large collection of mostly type II's and listed them both on his website and some on Guns America....a large bunch of 'ol goodies !  His website changed back a few years ago, but currently lists a good selection(maybe not quite as much as Ed Fitz, but close) of TC products.  He also contributes fairly often to TCA's One Good Shot quarterly mag.  www.rjsguns.com      BTW Hope you're doing OK!!!   Your Friend
Walt

[Ladobe]

Hey Walt,
I have been out of touch with Ron for so long I didn't know he had got back into dealing in them again.   Nor have I had anything to do with the TCA for even longer.   With all my old friends at TC retired or dead I don't talk to them anymore either.   I no longer have any TC Contenders or Encores, doubt I ever will again, so I will just keep getting farther out of the loop on them.   Most of my data for them is buried in storage someplace, so memory is about all I have to fall back on them now days.   
Thanks pard, I'm doing good, better than before and I'm still kicking three and a half years after the docs told me I would probably be dead in 6  months from the cancers.  Mind over matter.   I beat the Diabetes entirely on my own as well (another M.O.M. thing), lost most of the extra weight I had put on and am slowly regaining mobility and stamina.   It's way too hot here now, so the wee hours of the night is my exercise time and I stay holed up during the day unless I absolutely have to go out.  Even so I hope by fall to have a more active life again where I can actually go out and do things again beyond errands.    Kept a few firarms just in case I can start shooting again even though I know I'll never be able to hunt again "my way".   
Larry   

[Hopalong7]

Larry,  Glad to here it buddy....doing pretty decent myself.  Outta he'ar 'for we completely steal Dennis's thread.
Walt

[Zenshin]

LOL!  No problem, my question was answered...now it's social hour!  Dennis