"Here's a lovely AMT Hardballer. This one is unique in that it has real Mother of Pearl grips with the S/N of “DLR-1”. We know this came from an AMT Employee, and think it was a dealer sample. We feel the MoP grips are original to the pistol due to the serial number. However the grips are not marked or numbered. This would be a great addition to any 1911 collection. Metal Condition: Very nice stainless finish with no signs of abuse. Stock/Grips Condition: Grips are in great shape with no chips. Hairline fractures due to the real Mother of Pearl used. Grips are lightly mounted to prevent cracking them. Bore: Bright bore with strong rifling. Some signs of shooting. Action: No issues noted. Accessories: None Curios & Relic Eligible: No Serial Number DLR-1"

I would guess that DLR is "Dealer" and not someone's initials.  I would put the correct grips back on it.  Harry was only at the Arcadia location for about a month before he moved to Irwindale.  This is a rare gun but with no paperwork ? 

I never thought DLR meaning "dealer" either, duh! So maybe it was a dealer sample till they "upgraded" that model and then sold/gave it to the employee, which he then put on his MOP grips. That sounds more likely than not. Also they may have figured since they moved they needed a "current" address on the dealer sample gun and they dumped this to an employee? Always questions with AMT! Anybody else got ideas?

I'm going to guess maybe he thought it was a good idea to use DLR as a salesman sample but after he they moved and he had to make another with the new location he re-thought this idea. I'm not sure who worked at AMT but it would be nice to know some of these oddball questions that come up. Still would stick to the more common practice of thinking it was a customer custom number he wanted till proof shows otherwise. It's not this is worth big bucks in this shape anyway, no box, no papers and has been shot at least a few rounds AND if it was a sample it was shot more!

What is the market price for MOP grips? Are they that rare? Once you remove them what do you have left for the early version HardBaller. Unless you want an early version to round out your collection, why get one? This has been shot also so loss of value as a collector as well as no papers and no box.