N.E.F. stands for “New England Firearms”, and for our purposes identifies a certain starter pistol that I’ve used as the working mechanism for the majority of my blank-firing replicas. New England Firearms was a trademark of H & R Firearms Company, so the starter pistols may be marked “NEF” or “H&R 1871”.
[I still have some new and a very few used NEF .22 for sale. Followthis link.]
NEF’s have long been recognized as the finest starter pistols ever made. The very rugged yet simple construction give them unsurpassed reliability and survivability under the harshest field conditions. For the same reason, I depended on them when we built our blank-firing replicas. Actors are notoriously hard on any prop with moving parts, and half of my business would’ve disappeared if I hadn’t had these little workhorses providing the sound and fury. No other starter pistol can take its place (believe me, I tried).
In 2000, H & R was acquired by Marlin Firearms. Marlin itself was bought by Remington in 2007. According to my own direct conversations with Remington that year, they had no interest in continuing production of the .22 and .32 caliber NEF pistols and planned no restart. For a short time afterward, Remington maintained a small repair shop using leftover parts, but by late 2010 those parts were exhausted and the service was discontinued.
It may be possible to find a local gunsmith who is willing to fabricate a necessary part and get your broken NEF to work again. But for the most part once these break-down, they are irreparable and irreplaceable. On the plus side, they are so much more reliable than anything on the market that if you clean and oil your pistol, it should last your lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions about NEF Starter Pistols
What does “NEF” stand for?
NEF stands for New England Firearms, a trade name used by H & R Firearms (Harrington & Richardson, often marked “H&R 1871”).
When did Remington stop making NEF starter pistols?
After Remington acquired Marlin in 2007, production of NEF .22 and .32 caliber starter pistols was discontinued. Limited repair support lasted until 2010, when remaining parts were gone.
Are NEF starter pistols still reliable?
Yes. NEF pistols are known for their rugged, simple design. With regular cleaning and oiling, they can last a lifetime — though factory parts and repairs are no longer available.
NEF for sale?
I still have a very few, very modified, and very used pieces. Check them out here.