Thompson/Center Patriot .45 Black Powder Percussion Target Pistol, 9 in Octagonal Barrel, Double-Set Trigger, Factory Engraved
The Thompson/Center Patriot is a purpose-built .45 black powder target pistol made in Rochester, New Hampshire. This example features a 9 inch octagonal barrel with a full-length under-rib, factory scroll engraving, target sights, and the Patriot's distinctive double-set trigger system. Discontinued by the late 1980s, with production definitively ended after the 1996 factory fire, surviving examples are finite and sought by enthusiasts.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The pistol is in solid shape, with scattered cosmetic imperfections including scratches, blemishes, and areas of finish loss.
What’s Included
- Remington No. 11 percussion caps (plastic container)
- Adjustable brass powder measure
- Wood-handled ball starter with brass tip
Built as a dedicated target pistol, the Patriot uses a single-shot percussion caplock action in .45 BPM, paired with a double-set trigger. On this model, the front trigger is the set trigger and the rear trigger fires the shot, allowing a light, precise release when desired.
The 9 inch octagonal barrel carries a full-length under-rib and target-focused sights: a hooded front post and an adjustable rear target sight. The top flat is marked "THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE CAL 45," a hallmark of its New Hampshire manufacture.
Factory scroll engraving accents the lockplate and hammer, complemented by an engraved brass buttcap and a brass nose cap. The one-piece walnut target-style grip with flared butt provides a stable handhold, and the barrel is retained by a single wedge key with oval escutcheons.
Thompson/Center’s guidance for the Patriot specifies a patched .440 round ball with FFFg black powder or Pyrodex P and No. 11 percussion caps. Capacity is one round, reflecting its precision-oriented, single-shot design and focus on consistency.