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”.
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.
Operating the NEF starter pistol
The residue from explosive materials used in blank charges is extremely corrosive to the internal workings of the weapon, so let me remind you that all discharged weapons must be thoroughly cleaned within two hours of having been fired. Failure to do so will cause misfires, improper movement of working parts, and put the user of the weapon at great risk of serious injury. Just as when you operate a car you are responsible for filling it with oil and water, it is the theatre’s responsibility to ensure that all weapons are cleaned, lubricated, and protected from damage.
- To load and unload: depress the release button on the left side of the frame (in front of and above the trigger) then pull the center axis pin (located under the barrel) forward and out of the frame. This allows the cylinder to roll out and drop into your hand. Insert the blanks into the chambers. Use only .22 caliber or 6mm commercial rim-fire blanks. DO NOT USE “NAIL-DRIVING” (power tool) BLANKS.
- The center axis pin must lock in place before attempting to fire. If that pin is either a millimeter too deep or too shallow, you will get misfires. Make sure that the release button has popped back up, and tug the center axis pin to verify that it can’t move.
- To shoot: either pull the hammer back and then squeeze the trigger or simply squeeze the trigger. These pistols have a very strong trigger pull and require a good amount of hand strength.
- Load all chambers before each performance –
- Unload all chambers after each performance.
Use some cloth patches or a bit of sponge, toothbrush or pipe cleaner, moisten with WD- 40, and run it through the inside of the chambers and on the frame. There are some spots that you can’t see or reach, so spray some more WD-40. Spray it everywhere — when in doubt, spray some more: too much is good! It will loosen rust, push away the residue, lubricate the moving parts, displace any hidden water, and generally make life more pleasant. Wipe down the outside, and you are ready for the next performance.
There are three common brands of 22 cal. blanks. All are considered full-loads by the manufacturers, but they vary tremendously in how much gunpowder is inside, therefore in how much sound is produced.
- Winchester — deep, low sound; smoke will hang in the air. Think of it as full load.
- CCI/Remington — compared to the Winchester, it is something like a half-load.
- 6mm (various manufacturers) — misnamed “super-loud”: it is the equivalent of a quarter-load. It is the quietest sound you can get from a commercial blank.
DO NOT USE “NAIL-DRIVING” POWER LOAD BLANKS (sold at hardware stores).