Flatside contender what can you tell me about it

[wranglerdoug]

I just bought this mostly because I have never seen one.Its not under 4000 serial # appears to be late 76 model wanting to know if its supposed to be blued or case hardened and value.Thanks Doug

[DEACONLLB]

All that I know is they are very rare and were blue with no engraving and worth a little more but again Ladobe will have the history. I have never seen one at any of the dozen of gun shows that I attend and for that matter have only seen one armor alow.
Deaconllb

[30HERRETT]

I have owned two flatsides and since sold them both .Most of them where made in the first year and a half .
I saw the one you just bought and watched it through the auction .I did not bid because I just was not real sure whether it was correct .
I am going to send you a pm with a name and phone # and he should be able to tell you how the gun left the factory , meaning what barrel matches the frame .He will also have some insight to the frame .
Check your pm's .

[Keith L]

Fox Ridge sold them also.  You could get them engraved for presentation.

[Ken ONeill]

The IHMSA also commisssioned 400 of them in 1980 in various calibers for designated serial number ranges (i.e. IHMSA 1-50 were for the very first Super 14 .357 Magnums, IHMSA 300-400 were for the then newly introduced 7mm TCU, etc.). Other calibers included Super 14's in .256 Win., .45 Colt, and I forget the others, although I do have a reference sheet here in the house. The .30-30 and .30 Herrett were probably also included.

Every Flatside I have personally seen came from the factory blued. I have 2 of the IHMSA Flatsides, although I had them SSK Khromed a few years ago.

[Ladobe]

I'll try Deaconllb,

But only as far as to add some basic comments on the Contender flat sides from memory or whats left of it (I am not going to go over to storage to try to find my data for any exact information).

The very first Contender frames were plain flat sides with no etched or cast anything on the side plates.  I'm talking very, very, very early production in 1967, before the first puma.   No idea off hand how many, but not a lot of them.
Another “flat side” was made somewhere in the first 600-700 frames in 1967 that had a defiant eagle.   I've heard estimates as low as only 4 to maybe two dozen of them made is all.   A version they decided not to put into production.

Next flat side was designed for a chance at being a NRA Centennial Commemorative (early 70’s), appropriately engraved and gold filled.   TC didn't get the first one done in time for the cutoff date by the NRA for inclusion, so less than a half dozen were completed.   

When TC reintroduced the flat side again via Fox Ridge Outfitters there were several versions.   IE blued, color case, etc, inlays, gold/silver filled, several etching choices, plain side for custom etching/inlay, etc.   They didn't sell as many as they had hoped at their higher price though.   They also offered grips with various animals on the cap.

If memory serves there were also TCA edition flat sides, Ken mentioned the IHMSA version and there may have been more I just don't remember off hand.

Regardless, as Contender frames go they are the lowest run, so naturally the most collectable (plus any lunch hour flat side frames that would be one of a kind).   All are probably near priceless to a serious collector except the FRO flat sides, but they would command higher prices as well.

As a side, a hunting buddy bought a FRO flat side and had it full coverage engraved with silver wire inlays that carried over onto the barrel and custom furniture he had made for it.   Easily the fanciest TC Contender handgun I ever saw.  Gaudy, but actually quite eye appealing as well.   And like with me and all my custom Contender barrels/furniture, it was a hunting handgun, not just a show piece.    He passed away years ago - no idea where that one ended up but it is as one of a kind as it gets and would be priceless as well.

[Bullseye]

If it is a flatside from the first Contender production, I have seen the go for $1,500-$1,600.  I recently saw an IMSA flatside at a gun show and it was marked $650, not sure what these are worth so I passed.  Also not sure what the FRO flatsides go for.

[jbj-displays]

The first early flatsides would of also been sold with 1 line marked barrels. These Type 1 barrels are part of the value.
Yours has the correct hammer but the trigger gaurd is not the original style. The first ones have a lesser curve to them.
The IHMSA flatsides have your trigger gaurd but have the slide bar safety on the hammer.
I have both the blued and stainless Fox Ridge flatsides and they have the current selector style hammer.The blued version is the same frame that the TCA offered in 1999 with the 44 Special Carbine barrel.
So, not sure when it was made but would say as long as it goes bang use it and still looks nice.

[wranglerdoug]

I looked up the serial number and it showed it was made 2nd half of 76 so would the trigger gaurd and hammer be correct for that year.Thanks for all the information so far.I bought it because I had heard of the flatside but never saw one thought I should have it .And I am planning on shooting it.Thanks Doug

[jbj-displays]

One of my frames is 85K range which is early 1978 and looks like yours. So would have to say yes it is the correct hammer and trigger gaurd. The IHMSA frames came out in 1979 and have the slide bar safety.

[Ladobe]

The first early flatsides would of also been sold with 1 line marked barrels. These Type 1 barrels are part of the value.....

True, how much more it ads probably depending on which variation of Type 1 barrel.... but the Type 1 variations, Pre Type 2 and Type 2 barrels could have all been on the first flatside frames, not just the Type 1's.    All were made in 1967 and the flatsides were not dropped from TC's products list until in 1968 as they were replaced by the puma frames.

[wranglerdoug]

mine is 61k serial was supposed to have come from a T.C. collection.Thanks for all the information everyone

[tlyne]

 
  The story that I have heared was of the first flatside frames there where about 50 made and only 35 are known today.