Make: Claridge
Model: T-9, Target Model
Serial Number: 901153
Year of Manufacture: 1990-1993 / Modern
Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Blowback Fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked "CLARIDGE HI-TEC 901153". The right side of the receiver is marked "9mm NATO PAT.PEND NORTHRIDGE. CA. U.S.A.".
Barrel Length: 9.5" Match Grade Button Rifled Barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable hooded post sight. The rear sight is a windage adjustable rectangular notch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are serrated, integral to the tubular steel forged one piece lower with finger grooves and smooth backstrap. The L9 upper receiver has an integrated vented barrel shroud. Charging handle on the upper left side. The left side of the frame has a bolt catch. The grip serrations are sharp. The grips rate in Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x Modified Beretta 92 style 15rd Steel 9mm Magazine in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Black, Satin
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish is strong and complete throughout. There are a few minor loose storage marks. The markings are crisp. Overall, this handgun rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. Telescoping bolt. 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 one magazine.
Our Assessment: The Claridge Hi-Tec T-9 represents a short-lived but highly distinctive chapter in American firearms design, produced in limited numbers during the early 1990s out of Northridge, California. Built around a tubular steel receiver with a telescoping bolt system, the T-9 drew inspiration from earlier submachine gun concepts while presenting a futuristic, almost cinematic profile that set it apart from conventional semi-automatic pistols of its era. The Claridge line gained notable recognition not only for its engineering but for its unmistakable appearance, which translated seamlessly onto the silver screen and into popular culture, further cementing its identity as both a firearm and a visual icon. The Claridge line-up 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 directly from the Claridge Family Collection and represents one of the final opportunities to acquire a piece from this historically significant grouping as it nears its end. The T-9 or Target 9 is the longer barrel variant of the Claridge pistols with a 9.5" barrel. The pistol remains in Excellent condition, retaining virtually all of its original finish with a bright bore and sharp rifling. Of particular note, this example has an L9 upper with a shorter vented shroud. With its combination of mechanical uniqueness, documented provenance, and exceptional preservation, this T-9 stands as both a scarce collectible and a tangible artifact of a brief but memorable moment in American firearms innovation.
