Make: Claridge
Model: S-9 Heavy Barrel Prototype
Serial Number: 901104
Year of Manufacture: 1990-1993
Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: Closed Bolt, Semi-Automatic Blowback fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked "CLARIDGE HI-TEC 901104". The right side of the receiver is marked "9mm NATO PAT.PEND NORTHRIDGE. CA. U.S.A."
Barrel Length: 7" threaded Stainless Bull Barrel
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable hooded post sight. The rear sight is an adjustable rectangular notch to the frame.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are serrated, integral to the tubular steel forged one piece lower with finger grooves and smooth backstrap. Charging handle on the upper left side and bolt catch. The grip serrations are sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x Modified Mec-Gar 15rd 9mm Beretta 92 pattern magazine in Like New Condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel, Silver, Satin
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is light fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is generally strong. The front sight has turned plum. There is thinning on the leading edges as well as storage wear. The cutout for the charging handle is somewhat rough. There are light scattered scratches. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Telescoping bolt cloned after the SA-VZ23 submachine gun. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol includes a total of one magazine.
Our Assessment: The Claridge Hi-Tec S-9 Heavy Barrel Prototype represents one of the more intriguing and seldom encountered variations within the short-lived Claridge production run of the early 1990s. Manufactured in Northridge, California, the Hi-Tec series drew heavily from submachine gun architecture, most notably incorporating a telescoping bolt system patterned after the Czech SA-VZ23, housed within a tubular steel receiver that gave the design its unmistakable profile. The S-9 platform served as the foundation for several experimental and limited configurations, and this heavy barrel prototype stands apart with its extended 7" stainless bull barrel, emphasizing stability and forward weight. The Claridge pistols, known for their futuristic aesthetic and unconventional engineering, has graced the screen in the hands of cinematic titans such as Mark Wahlberg in "Planet of the Apes" and Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Total Recall." Throw in an appearance in Iron Man 2, Point Blank, Firefly, Direct Hit, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Leprechaun, Assassins and you have a resume that reads like a box office blockbuster film list.
This example comes from the Claridge Family Collection and reflects the experimental nature of the platform with its heavy barrel configuration and prototype status. The pistol retains approximately 98% of its original finish, with only light edge thinning, and minor handling marks. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. As a prototype variant with direct family provenance, this S-9 offers a rare opportunity to examine and own a developmental piece from a brief but innovative chapter in American firearms manufacturing and Hollywood history.
