You sir, are a prince! Thank you so much for that.
The Bren Ten Curse
- Thread starter Ethang
- Start date
You sir, are a prince! Thank you so much for that.
DWalt
Member
A related story was that the first prototype gun was chambered in .45 ACP. And there is no known prototype in 10mm.
Another story is that the two Sonny Crockett guns used in Miami Vice for two seasons were highly modified BTs converted to use .45 ACP blanks, as there were no 10mm blanks available.
D&D made 250 Brens chambered for 45 ACP for The Marksman Gunshop in the Chicago area. They were specially marked and had different serial numbers.
The Miami Vice was Bren was a 45 ACP version with the slide marking changed is all because of the blank situation you mention. The slide was hard chromed to show up during the night firing scenes.
If you look at the picture of my Brens earlier in this thread, the two guns in the presntation cases are Dual Masters and have both 10mm uppers and 45 acp uppers.
45 acp Brens are very common.
The Miami Vice was Bren was a 45 ACP version with the slide marking changed is all because of the blank situation you mention. The slide was hard chromed to show up during the night firing scenes.
If you look at the picture of my Brens earlier in this thread, the two guns in the presntation cases are Dual Masters and have both 10mm uppers and 45 acp uppers.
45 acp Brens are very common.
My apologies, Beemer1. When you posted the photo earlier, I thought it was merely a stock photo of assorted Brens. I had no idea this was your own collection. Well done, that man! My hat's off to you sir. I envy both your gorgeous collection and your unswerving commitment.
Dave from Pa
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have a Bren 10 Military and Police I purchased from a friend some time ago. I was after him for a couple years to buy it, finally one day he called with a price. At that time they were pricey but still affordable. The gun was a novelty and for a time I shot it often at my range and a couple of local matches.The Norma ammo flattened pins but I liked it better out of a 610. Ounce I had brass all my ammo was handloaded. This pistol shoots and functions well.It always manages to draw questions at the range.Size is comparable to my 1076,it handles and points better than a 645.I managed to pick up 2 more mags along with the one that came with it.Over the years I have shot a few Standard Models and one Marksman model that I really liked.The Military and Police model I have is the only one I have seen.I will try to post a few pictures.
Both the 10mm Bren Tens and the Marksman Specials (45 acp) have ramped barrels.
This thread has had a lot of interest so here is a run down of the different models that D&D sold.
First, here is a standard model which is a 10mm. The serial number is comprised of the year of mfg (1983), the letters S & M for Standard Model, and the serial number.
First, here is a standard model which is a 10mm. The serial number is comprised of the year of mfg (1983), the letters S & M for Standard Model, and the serial number.
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Here is a Marksman Special Bren chambered for 45 acp. The Marksman Gunshop in the Chicago area ordered and sold these, there were 250 of them.
The serial number is self explanatory. They also sold about 100 of the padded cases for these pistols, they were an extra and about 100 were sold.
The serial number is self explanatory. They also sold about 100 of the padded cases for these pistols, they were an extra and about 100 were sold.
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Here is the top of the line as far as Bren Tens go, the Dual Master Set. There were less than 50 of these produced. They came in a wood presentation case and had both a 10mm upper and a 45 acp upper.
The bluing on the slides was more polished on the DM's and the stainless frame flats were polished. Some light scroll engraving was done on the slides also.
The serial numbers on all the DM's ended in "00".
The bluing on the slides was more polished on the DM's and the stainless frame flats were polished. Some light scroll engraving was done on the slides also.
The serial numbers on all the DM's ended in "00".
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Here is an interesting Bren. It is a standard model with an "API" serial number. API stand for Americdan Pistol Institute which was owned by Jeff Cooper and the predecessor to Gunsite Ranch. These were Bren Tens sold or given to Special Shooters connected with API. It is thought that less than six of these exist.
Notice the serial number that looks like the date 10-19-36. I have not been able to find any leads on what it signifies so far.
Anyone have any ideas?
Notice the serial number that looks like the date 10-19-36. I have not been able to find any leads on what it signifies so far.
Anyone have any ideas?
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I have one of the Airsofts.
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I have been trying to find one of those for years too...
10-19-36.....the Colonel and Countess's anniversary? My parents were nearly the same age as they were, they got married in '37. Just a guess.
I knew the Colonel some, not as well as others, I never found him to be an ***, as was hinted at here by someone.
As to the Bren, I wonder how some would feel if the Glock had failed? I don't know why some people seem to celebrate a guns demise. I wish the Bren had been a success. I wish the Detonics was still around. (Sonny carried one of those too, remember?) It's like gun owners, I for one am glad to see the huge numbers of minority women, and women in general getting armed up. The only way we preserve our rights is to exercise them. The more of us that do the better.
Back to the Bren, I never did understand why Vltor couldn't pull it off. They made a lot of cool stuff that seemed high quality, they couldn't get the Bren up and running? Did Detonics suffer the same fate? How is it a guy from Austria can make a success story out of plastic but Americans can't put together what could be a very good pistol?
Eugene Stoner made a gun with a lot of flaws, and yet who doesn't own one? John Browning "improved" the 1911 in 1935 and yet which is in more holsters today? (in America anyway.)
Cursed? Perhaps. I for one would like to see someone produce the thing. Would I buy one? Sure. Put me down as a yes. I'd love to at least see a successful American company bang out something that would just say "cool."
I knew the Colonel some, not as well as others, I never found him to be an ***, as was hinted at here by someone.
As to the Bren, I wonder how some would feel if the Glock had failed? I don't know why some people seem to celebrate a guns demise. I wish the Bren had been a success. I wish the Detonics was still around. (Sonny carried one of those too, remember?) It's like gun owners, I for one am glad to see the huge numbers of minority women, and women in general getting armed up. The only way we preserve our rights is to exercise them. The more of us that do the better.
Back to the Bren, I never did understand why Vltor couldn't pull it off. They made a lot of cool stuff that seemed high quality, they couldn't get the Bren up and running? Did Detonics suffer the same fate? How is it a guy from Austria can make a success story out of plastic but Americans can't put together what could be a very good pistol?
Eugene Stoner made a gun with a lot of flaws, and yet who doesn't own one? John Browning "improved" the 1911 in 1935 and yet which is in more holsters today? (in America anyway.)
Cursed? Perhaps. I for one would like to see someone produce the thing. Would I buy one? Sure. Put me down as a yes. I'd love to at least see a successful American company bang out something that would just say "cool."
DWalt
Member
The downfall of D&D was undercapitalization. Very common among startups, underestimating the amount of funding required to set up development, manufacturing, and distribution operations and not being able to come up with it later. There was nothing wrong with the product when introduced but it was poorly brought to market by leaving the magazine availability and quality problems, etc. unresolved. I’d guess the potential successor organizations, Peregrine and Vltor, figured out that its day in the sun was over and that there were better uses for their capital than making the BT. Time always marches on, and the parade passed by the BT.
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Interesting. Gun Stories episode on the Outdoor channel this week was about the Bren Ten. Used to see them occasionally at gun shows back when. Don't recall what the going price was, wasn't interested, still not. There are other makes of 10mm available that function dependably, have magazines, and accessories.
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