TC Renegade barrel markings

[Frontier's]

Any clue what the diamond shape and M mean?

 

[bang]

Odds are it was made for TC but no actual markings of the manufacturer. I have a few TCs and they have the diamond as yours does and they are original kit barrels so stands to be the factory built ones would have same markings. More than likely there was more than one barrel makers under contract. I would guess the diamond was a way to note the TC contract and the M is inspector.

 

[Frontier's]

I was told that TC had 3 different barrel makers. Sharon, Douglas and green mountain. The barrel with the M on the bottom, is green mountain. Supposedly.

 

[Walkingeagle]

A spade stamp is Sharon I do believe.
Walk

 

[Grenadier1758]

There's no documentation that identifies any of the marks on early T/C barrels to a specific manufacturer.

 

[Frontier's]

There's no documentation that identifies any of the marks on early T/C barrels to a specific manufacturer.

Not true! Douglas and sharon have clear markings on the barrels they made for tc.

 

[waarp8nt]

I've heard the M was for Mowery, after seeing yours it looks more like an inspectors mark to me, but that is just personal opinion. The sad truth is we may never know for certain the marks placed on or the serial numbers of Thompson Center Muzzleloader barrels. Much like the arms requested by Meriwether Lewis at the Harpers Ferry Armoury, T/C history has been lost to fire and time.


ROCHESTER, N.H., March 28, 1997 -- Fire crews battled an explosion- punctuated blaze during the night at a gun factory complex in New Hampshire. Officials say the five-alarm fire destroyed three buildings at Thompson Center Arms and Thompson Tool Co., one of the largest employers in the Rochester area.

The blaze set off explosions in ammunition and oxygen and acetylene tanks, but no injuries were reported. Firefighters from some 20 surrounding communities responded to the fire, which broke out about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Crews continued to battle hot spots Friday morning. Officials say they also called in personnel to check for hazardous materials. The company makes pistols, muzzle loaders, rifles and other custom weapons for international sale, and reportedly employs more than 500 people. Most of the workers were told to stay home Friday. The company store, a foundry and a water treatment facility escaped serious damage. ---

 

[bubba.50]

I guess y’all know more than Warren Center-you know, the ‘Center’ half of Thompson Center. Look up cowboy’s excellent posts on this subject in one of which quoted Mr. Center in an interview where he stated they may have use a few Sharon blanks til they got their machines set up but, that NO-ONE(‘no-one’ includes the aforementioned Sharon and Douglas) other than TC made barrels for TC’s.

 

[Frontier's]

An iron cross or spade stamp on the bottom of the barrel, isnt tc made.

 

[UndeadPoet]

My 1981 kit T/C .54 Hawken barrel has an “M” on the underside. It does not have any other markings that I can see other than T/C’s name and city/state and “Cal .54” it does not say “HAWKEN” or have any warning info on it. Serial number does start with “K”

 

[bubba.50]

An iron cross or spade stamp on the bottom of the barrel, isnt tc made.

Capital 'B' capital 'S'

 

[Frontier's]

 

[bubba.50]

That means ABSOLUTELY nothing. It's just one of MANY marks TC used over the years. But, I have to admire your dedication in perpetuating the myths, urban legends, half-truths and outright falsehoods surrounding the barrels of TC muzzleloaders over the last 50 years.

 

[Frontier's]

Very incorrect. This is well documented. Even sharon sold aftermarket barrels for TC when TC fired up their plant. The spade and iron cross are not TC markings.

 

[waarp8nt]

I would like to see documentation of symbols for T/C barrels. I have read a lot of hearsay on various forums, even heard ramblings on and whispers at gunshows.

 

[Frontier's]

No one just randomly Mark's their barrels with random stamps lol

 

[bubba.50]

As stated by Warren Center, they used Sharon BLANKS for a while but that Sharon never made complete barrels for TC. After the TC Hawken took off Sharon came out with their own similar Hawken. It fizzled out but there was enough of them out there that likely someone(like certain people here) saw a Sharon Hawken barrel and put 2 & 2 together and came up with 5 and assumed they were the same as TC's. And the myth/misinformation/hearsay/urban legend/balderdash has continued to this day with every keyboard ex-spurt passing it along as gospel.

And 'IF' Sharon had ever made barrels for TC's they would've been marked 'Sharon' not TC just like Green Mountain drop-ins are marked Green Mountain or Rice Barrels drop-ins would've been marked Rice

 

[bubba.50]

No one just randomly Mark's their barrels with random stamps lol

I know of at least six different marks(and I'm sure there's others that slip my mind) TC has used over the years so, using your 'logic' who are these other five(or more) mystery barrel makers?

 

[Frontier's]

Not true on that part. Traditions puts their name on a lot of different makers. Chappa, pietta, etc.

Since you have so much guaranteed info, explain why barrels came with an iron cross or a spade.

 

[Frontier's]

03A4 barrel,

Its obvious that this is not just a random stamp as its on a ww2 gun, but a makers mark.