Busta, I did not want to disappoint you so here is something to read.
From the T/C site.
ABOUT THOMPSON CENTER ARMS
In 1965, K. W. Thompson Tool was looking for a product to build and a gun designer, Warren Center, was looking for someone to build his Contender pistol. It was a perfect match. The facilities at K. W. Thompson Tool were expanded and Thompson/Center Arms was formed. Two years later, the first Contender Pistol was shipped, starting a trend in high performance hunting handguns, which continues to grow every year. To date, over 400,000 Contender pistols have been shipped and the pistol’s reputation for versatility, accuracy and dependability goes unchallenged among serious handgun shooters.
Since the production of the initial Contender Pistol, the company has expanded its facilities and product line numerous times. In 1970, Thompson/Center entered the Black Powder market with the introduction of their first muzzleloading rifle, the Hawken. Muzzleloading interest at the time was minimal and the market needed a quality rifle, which could not only be shot but could be purchased at a reasonable price. Original or antique rifles were selling for high prices and most collectors opted not to fire these pieces. The T/C Hawken was the first of many muzzleloaders soon to be produced.
Currently, Thompson/Center Arms continues to produce an extensive line of single shot hunting pistols and rifles and a full line of muzzleloading rifles and “black powder” accessories.
The old style Contender Pistol has been redesigned. Now called the G2 Contender (2nd generation), it continues to be the most versatile hunting pistol on the market, with the capabilities of accepting both rimfire and centerfire barrels. In addition to the G2 Contender Pistol, T/C also produces a G2 Contender Rifle, again boasting readily interchangeable barrels. Sporting a 23” barrel and weighing only 5.4 pounds, there isn’t a handier, more versatile rifle anywhere.
The overall success of the Contender Pistol, and the reputation it established, led the company to bring out a slightly larger version, with a longer and thicker frame. Called the Encore, this pistol (and rifle) can accept the larger, high-powered cartridges popular with hunters who need more power at extended ranges.
Over the last 15 years, the sport of “Black Powder” hunting has increased dramatically and so too has the hunters demands. Generally not interested in the nostalgia, which accompanies the guns of the 1800’s, these hunters want modern designs, better accuracy at extended ranges, and easier cleaning. Although Thompson/Center Arms continues to offer our first muzzleloader, the Hawken, as well as the old standby version, the Renegade, most of the muzzleloaders offered today are modern style in-lines, capable of accepting magnum charges of 150 grains of FFG Black Powder, or Pyrodex equivalent (i.e.: three each of 50 grain [50 caliber] Pyrodex pellets).
Thompson/Center now offers three different styles of modern in-line muzzleloaders; the Black Diamond XR—an open breech striker design, the Omega—a sealed pivoting breech design, and the Encore 209x50 Magnum—the most versatile and popular muzzleloader sold today.
As in the past, extensive arrays of black powder accessories are offered to compliment this entire product line. All made in the USA at our Rochester, New Hampshire facility.
Our products are built with one thing in mind—quality. They’re built by New Englanders who take pride in building a sturdy product and selling it for a fair value. Thompson/Center backs this up with its famous Life Time Warranty.
Our precision investment castings come from our own casting facility here in Rochester, Thompson Investment Castings. Our dedication in providing you the best product value out there comes from our employees who, more often than not, use our products when they head into the fields and woods each year themselves.
Thompson/Center is not old by historical standards; we were not around at the turn of the century. But in the almost 40 years we’ve been in the business, we have contributed heavily to the growth of shooting and hunting in America. We’ve elevated handgun hunting and hunting with a muzzleloader to new heights and we continue to be the leaders within this industry by offering more innovative
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
