The Rohrbaugh Forum
Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R9 (all variations) => Topic started by: Marshbrook on January 26, 2011, 06:18:57 PM
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Can anyone tell me when the first Rohrbaughs became avilable to the public....for example the earliest known shipped dates? Thank you in advance, Al
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April/May 2004 time frame. Some members of this forum received theirs in May/June 2004.
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May 5th, 2004. Don't know if that was the earliest, but one of the earliest.
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These first ones in 2004 were delivered after a 15 month wait in some cases. I know that I waited for over a year after placing the order. Recent newbies will be able to say the same thing about their R-45 one of these days.
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#101 owned by a Forum member here. Ordered his Feb. 2002 and received it Nov. 2003. Looks like that is the first one delivered, other than Karl's #100.
http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1085007179;start=23#23
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From the history book...
That #101 was actually given to Jeff_OTMG, an Internet online writer who did a story on the R9 in the early days. He still has that #101. Eric tried to get it back for history’s sake at last years SHOT Show, but was unsuccessful.
The first R9 to actually be "Sold to the public" was serial number 102 to "Blackhawk" (Bob Jensen) from The High Road, way back when. He was the first guy to really stand up for Rohrbaugh on the internet in those early days.
The factory later wanted to make Bob a special R9, with serial number "BLACKHAWK 1." The gun was accompanied by a custom Pocket Defender holster from K&D Holsters that was laser engraved with "Blackhawk" where it normally said "K&D Holsters."
Bob took ill and the only way to get that to him, as he was bed ridden from a stroke, was to have his wife send #102 back to the factory for “repair and updating,” and he was sent the new specially made gun back as replacement for 102. Serial number 102 now resides in the Rohrbaugh archives, as being the first R9 sold to the public.
In reference to other early serial number guns: Karl has #1 and Eric has #2, and a few other shareholders have the other low numbers without a prefix. Rohrbaugh continues to hold the first 100 serial numbers, without the prefix, in the vaults for something "Special," when the time arises. It's not yet -- please don't call Maria!
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Duane, Great history of the early days. Thanks for sharing that.
John
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Yep! Clears things up quite a bit. :)
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Any information about the early days is always fun to learn...thanks to all for adding to this post, I really do appreciate what I learn from you all!
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Any information about the early days is always fun to learn...thanks to all for adding to this post, I really do appreciate what I learn from you all!
I ordered my R9 in 2002 immediately after seeing a photograph of the prototype unveiled at SHOT that year. R9s No. 132 (no "R" prefix) was delivered to my dealer early in May 2004, and I first shot it on May 19, 2004. I recall running 54 rounds through it that first time with another 6 being fired by a friend who was with me at the range. The pistol was flawless then and has been flawless at all subsequent range sessions. It has been my EDC weapon since May 2004.