SWAG & MERCH: Bren Ten Accessories & Collectables

One seemingly trivial item on the collectors' list is the plain cardboard box that Dornaus & Dixon shipped their pistols in.  It's interesting to note that while the company actually won an award for the quality of their Bren Ten owner's manual, the shipping box the company used couldn't have been more basic and non-descript!  As far as markings, the most the box would have had was simple stamp or sticker with the company's return address on it, and then the model and serial number written in pen on the end of the box.  The pistol itself was usually packed in a padded mailing envelope.  There were no partitions, no foam padding, or any other packaging that we normally associate with a firearm case.  As there was nothing to indicate that it was a Bren box (and the fact that the cardboard container wasn't very robust and was easily crushed) it's not surprising that many of these original boxes were simply thrown out.  Now, with the collector status of the guns, finding one with the original box with matching serial number commands a premium on the used gun market.  Years ago the Florida gun shop ESF Sales (no longer in business) was selling these boxes for $50 each!  It is unknown though, if these were yet another item picked up at a Dornaus & Dixon 'going out of business' auction, or reproductions.  Either way, the source has now dried up.

Probably the most well known (and arguably the most important) collectible for the Bren Ten enthusiast is the incredibly detailed and ehaustive book by Ron Carrillo titled, BREN TEN: The Heir Apparent.  Published in 2005 the book is a comprehensive history of the development of the pistol, and the people behind its creation.  Much of the information collected for the original Bren Ten website was collected from knowledgeable individuals I have corresponded with and various documents I have picked up over the years.  While this certainly helped to paint a general picture of the Bren Ten story, Ron's work takes it to the next level.  He explores absolutely every avenue of the gun's development, as well as the historical impetus behind it.  Included in the text is a very interesting interview he had with Col. Cooper looking back at the Bren Ten journey.

Unfortunately Ron passed away unexpectedly in 2013.  I do not know how many copies of his book were produced, but it is now out of print and extremely difficult to find.

Years ago there was a group of Bren Ten collectors that got together and created the Bren Ten Association (BTA).  I don't know much of the history of the BTA, but in addition to an online newsletter to share info, they also occasionally got together to organize group buys for some Bren Ten related item.

One particular item the BTA organized was a remake of Sonny Crockett's shoulder holster from the popular television series "Miami Vice".  The original holster used in the show was made by Ted Blocker Holsters of Tigard, Oregon, and the association was able to get them to make a limited number of reproductions.  These had a special 'limited edition' BTA stamp that included the Gunsite raven.  There were only 20 of these made (mine is stamped 5/20) and while I remember hearing about some interest in a second run, I don't know if it ever actually happened.

These are very nice shoulder holsters and do a good job of distributing the weight of the heavy Bren Ten and two loaded 10-round magazines.  Even so, I don't know how Detective Crockett managed running around after the bad guys with the big Bren Ten repeatedly banging into his ribs with every step!

This particular Bren accessory may not appear especially significant, but it has a secret.  The sticker on the bottom of this simple oak pistol stand indicates that it was 'designed and manufactured by' Cyrstal Cane Creations.  What many may not realize is that Crystal Cane Creations was a small business owned and operated by Tom Dornaus during the years just prior to his passing.

Ever the designer and craftsman he made a number of wood canes as well as the pistol stands.  Some of Tom's canes were especially interesting as the handle would actually be a full-sized wood replica of a 1911 or Bren Ten with the shaft of the cane extending from the muzzle.  These were quite detailed and real pieces of art and priced accordingly.

How many of these pistol stands were made by Tom is unknown, but I don't believe there were too many actually made with the 'circle x' logo as the rights to it were actually still owned by Richard Voit at the time.

Of course as soon as a new cartridge is introduced to the shooting world numerous manufacturers are going to rush to start producing various tools and related components for the reloader.  One of the first such companies to offer reloading dies for the 10mm was RCBS.  While 10mm reloading dies may not sound all that exciting and merit the attention of the serious Bren Ten collector, what makes this particular offering so interesting is just how RCBS cataloged their newest offering.  Rather than being labeled simply as "10mm Automatic," which according to SAAMI is the cartridge's official name, the RCBS set was instead titled "40 CALIBER BREN TEN."  Does this make this particular set of reloading dies special or better (or worth more money)?  Not really, but it does pay homage to the Bren Ten's role in the creation and continued popularity of the 10mm Auto cartridge, and for many that is reason enough to add it to the list of Bren Ten collectibles.