Thanks for posting this info, tred. Everyone, with an interest in Contenders needs it available. Don't forget the 'Armour Alloy' series, it is the real 'odd duck' in the family. From about 1986 to early 1990 T/C produced the AA series with a hard chrome plating prior to the release of the stainless models. There is an A prefix on the serial number and an AA on the barrel lug. Barrels need to be reamed to fit a standard frame pin and probably the frame as well due to the thickness of the plating. Check with Bellm or Ed's Contenders.
They weren't real popular, don't seem to be collectable, and aren't common. It has been years since I had my paws on one, however folks have bought barrels or frames thinking they were stainless and then found out that they didn't fit properly on blue or stainless guns.