CITES Compliant "Farmingdale"

[Richard S]

My highly valued "Farmingdale" R9 No. 132 is about to reach its seventh anniversary of daily CCW service. In order to mark that occasion, I have been working for the past couple of years on a project to outfit it with some CITES Compliant accessories. With some extraordinary help from a few friends whom I shall not here name (you all know who you are), that project has now been completed.

[kjtrains]

Very nice, Richard and congrats on the "Farmingdale" no. 132's seventh anniversary.  It's to be commended and to you as well.  Continue to enjoy.  I do like those grips!  The other parts of the project, too.

[Z]

Congratulation on 7 years of carry with your Farmingdale.

It is a nice looking PUP for sure.

[Richard S]

Thank you, gentlemen.

Needless to say, those grips will not be used for any range work. For that, Black or Blue CFs, OD Aluminums, or VZ Micartas will be installed. In the meantime, whenever the old-ivory panels are on the pistol, they will be cushioned by rubber "mini  washers" under the screw heads -- just in case.

[theirishguard]

 

[Reinz]

Thank you, gentlemen.

Needless to say, those grips will not be used for any range work. For that, Black or Blue CFs, OD Aluminums, or VZ Micartas will be installed. In the meantime, whenever the old-ivory panels are on the pistol, they will be cushioned by rubber "mini  washers" under the screw heads -- just in case.

It would probably take me 30 minute to change those grips using those mini wahers,  I am all thumbs with those things.

Wise move.

[AmmoToad]

 If there is any chance of me getting some similar grips...let me know and I'll contact you offline.

[yankee2500]

Toad,
   I think the first step is to locate some Pre-Ban Ivory that is large enough to have the grips made from like Richard did, he may be able to point you in the right direction for it.

[Richard S]

If there is any chance of me getting some similar grips...let me know and I'll contact you offline.

AT:

I just got lucky. It is very difficult to find material which complies with the Convention. A friend of mine got a lead on a piece and steered me in the right direction. One option you might consider is fossilized ivory, which is more easily found on the auction market. The problem there is to find a piece large enough to produce the grips. Either way, it will be "pricey."

I wish you all success if you start on the project. As I noted in my first post, it took me two years to get it all together.  

[AmmoToad]

Yankee/Richard, thanks for the info.  I would be happy to find high quality replicas as I’d keep them on the gun while carrying and shooting.   Really like the looks of them on Richard’s gun.  

[Richard S]

AT:

If you are interested in Ivory Polymer, I know that Hogue offers grips in that material for Colt Government style pistols as well as for Ruger and Colt single-action revolvers.

http://www.getgrip.com/main/overview/Scrimshaw.htm

You might want to get in touch with them to see if they offer IP grips for the R9s as well.

[K-Man]

The grips really look exceptional, Richard.

For those who think they might want to put ivory grips on their R9 - finding the ivory is only half the issue.  The other half is finding someone to fashion the grips for you who actually knows how to work ivory.  Too many folks don't know what they're doing in that respect....

[yankee2500]

The grips really look exceptional, Richard.

For those who think they might want to put ivory grips on their R9 - finding the ivory is only half the issue.  The other half is finding someone to fashion the grips for you who actually knows how to work ivory.  Too many folks don't know what they're doing in that respect....

Its not like working with composites one little mistake can be costly.

[Richard S]

Kevin and John are absolutely correct. It takes an artist who knows how to operate a CNC machine with a delicate touch. Also, complete assumption of the risk and a hold-harmless agreement by the owner of the old ivory will be required in case of any breakage of the material. Pre-ban and fossilized ivory may have embedded flaws or stress fractures which can manifest themselves during the CNC machining process.

Let me emphasize that I don't recommend this as a project for anyone. The mere use of the material is controversial. For me, however, as one who for his entire adult life has studied the career and been an admirer of the legendary General George S. Patton, I have long wanted a pair of old-ivory grips on my EDC weapon. For the last seven years, R9 No. 132 has been that EDC weapon. No matter what other handgun I may carry as a primary (Colt Government Model, Heckler & Koch P7, etc.), the R9 is always with me. I expect that to continue for whatever number of years I have left before shuffling off this mortal coil.

[After that, it is my firm intention to take the R9 with me to Valhalla.   ]

[Robar233]

Excellent picture, great pistol with very nice extras! Seven years of use and carry and she still looks brand new. Mine is only seven months old now. I hope it looks that could in six years!