Lot 1507

First Prototype Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises Inc. Bren Ten Pistol

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First Prototype Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises Inc. Bren Ten Pistol

Estimate: $18,000 - $27,500

Starting Bid: $16,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Very Rare and Highly Desirable First Prototype Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises Inc. Bren Ten Semi-Automatic Pistol, Serial Number "PROTO-1" Manufactured c. mid 1981 to 1983, after the Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises Inc. company was formally established on July 15, 1981, this specific pistol is the first true-to-form pre-production prototype of what would become the short lived but iconic Bren Ten line of semi-automatic pistols. Largely the brainchild of Thomas F. Dornaus and his business partner Michael W. Dixon, personal friends who shared a passion for firearms, the design that would become the Bren Ten began conceptualization in 1979. The two sought to create a semi-automatic pistol with greater capacity and cartridge power than the .45 ACP out of the Model 1911 and .357 Magnum out of double action revolvers, which were some of the most prevalent and powerful sidearm options available for law enforcement at the time. The two also utilized the insight of well regarded firearms instructor and U.S. Marine Corps Col. John Dean "Jeff" Cooper as their technical advisor on the project. Building off of the praise Jeff Cooper gave to the CZ-75 pistol but also diminutive opinion of the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge, Tom Dornaus manufactured the very first prototype over five weeks in 1980, chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge and dubbed the "Combat Service Pistol-80" (CSP-80). When showed the new pistol design, Jeff Cooper was impressed and suggested two alterations which would come to define the line, changing the name to "BREN TEN" in recognition of CZ and re-chambering the pistol for a new 10 mm automatic cartridge. As a result, Dornaus & Dixon contracted Norma to design Cooper's conceptual cartridge, resulting in the creation of the 10 mm Automatic cartridge, with the Bren Ten being the first firearm chambered for it. The Bren Ten would also make a name for itself at the time as the pistol of choice of Detective James "Sonny" Crockett (played by Don Johnson) in the hit Miami Vice (1984-1990) television series, which largely drove its demand and cemented its place in popular culture. While the Bren Ten would only see some 1,500 examples produced from 1983 until 1986 before the closing of Dornaus & Dixon Ent. Inc., the 10 mm Auto cartridge it introduced still remains a popular choice to the present day. This Bren Ten prototype, serial number "PROTO-1", features fixed white-dot blade front and adjustable white-dot notch rear (white dot inserts absent) sights, "CAUTION-READ MANUAL" marked on the top rear flat of the stainless slide, the "BREN TEN" name marked on both sides of the slide near the muzzle along with an erroneous factory "Cal. 45 ACP" caliber designation marked on the right of the slide ("PROTO-1" being the only Bren Ten to bear the .45 ACP caliber marking on the slide like the CSP-80 prototype that proceeded it, as the slide of its successor "PROTO-2" is correctly marked "Cal. 10mm AUTO"), "Cal. 10mm AUTO" marked on top of the polished stainless barrel, the Jeff Cooper "Gunsite raven" symbol on the left of the stainless frame with contrasting satin and polished finish, and the right of the frame marked with the Dornaus & Dixon Ent. Inc. address, "PAT. PEND.", "MADE IN U.S.A.", and the serial number. Fitted with a pair of textured black polymer grips with the distinct "circled hourglass" Bren Ten logos and a blued magazine. Includes a period Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises Inc. Bren Ten manual.

Manufacturer: Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises, Inc.

Model: Bren Ten

BBL: 5 inch round

Gauge: 10 mm auto

Finish: stainless

Grips: plastic

Serial NumberPROTO-1

Class: Modern Handgun

  • Condition: Very good as the first Bren Ten factory prototype, with bright polished stainless surfaces, some light cycling wear, minor scratches and wear, and crisp markings. The grips are also very good with some light handling marks in the well-defined texturing. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare opportunity to own the very first Dornaus & Dixon Enterprises Inc. Bren Ten factory prototype, the only one to be marked "Cal. 45 ACP" on the slide!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000