Timeline for H&R Firearms - start 1871, finish 2008

[32 Magnum]

Here is the "timeline" for H&R - from info I just received from a VERY RELIABLE source.  This posting will be exclusive to this forum and thread.  Jim Hauff

1871     Franklin Wesson & Gilbert Harrington start:  WESSON & HARRINGTON
1874     William Richardson buys out F. Wesson's interest, HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON formed.
1888     Company name changed to HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON ARMS CO.
1953     Company name changed to HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON, INC.
1984     In December, H&R Inc. begins operating under Chap. 11 bankruptcy proceedings
1986     In February, H&R Inc. ceases operations, having sold all finished goods, work in process,      parts, etc
1986     In December, FLAMBEAU CORP., an investment company, purchased some of the H&R, INC
             assets, including trade names, with no liabilities through a sale approved by the Bankruptcy Court.
             The land and buildings were not a part of the asset purchase as there was soil contamination.
             NEW ENGLAND FIREARMS CO., INC., a management company, was formed to lease the
             equipment held by FLAMBEAU and to produce and market firearms at Gardner, MA site.
1987     In January, NEW ENGLAND FIREARMS CO., INC. began production of the "PARDNER", a single
             barrel shotgun.  Later that year, NEF began producing single shot rifles and several
             handgun models.
1991     A new corp., H&R 1871, INC. formed in June and purchased some of the assets from
             FLAMBEAU, later that year NEF CO. INC dissolved.
             Application to the US Patent Office was made and granted for registration of [NEW ENGLAND
             FIREARMS as a brand name.  Products under that name are sold to distributors and mass
             merchants.
             H&R 1871, INC. applied for and was granted registration of the name HARRINGTON &
             RICHARDSON. This brand of "upscale" firearms is sold only through selected distributors and
             is exported widely around the world.
1995     H&R 1871, INC introduced the WESSON & HARRINGTON brand of firearms, after
             brand name was registered and granted with/by US Patent Office.
2000     On November 10, the MARLIN FIREARMS CO. purchased the assets of H&R 1871, INC.
             and the name was changed to H&R 1871, LLC - a wholly owned subsidiary of MARLIN.
2008     April REMINGTON buys MARLIN, including H&R 1871, LLC.
             NEF Brand name dropped.

[mauser98us]

Great info. Thanks for your time and effort.I wish they would start making handguns again. I'd really like to get my hands on a Defender in 38 S&W. I know it isn't gonna happen.

[32 Magnum]

mauser,
You're welcome and thanks for thanking - it's my pleasure.
Hey, you want a DEFENDER 38, buy an older one.  They show up pretty often on the on-line auction sites and usually sell at a very reasonable price.  I've shot a couple of mine - they are a blast with the factory .38 S&W rounds - takes them about a 1/2 hour to get to the 100 yard berm.  LOL

[quickdtoo]

Thanks Jim, we appreciate it.  One addition to the timeline, H&R no longer markets firearms under the NEF brand name.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/Brandtransition/

[mauser98us]

mauser,
You're welcome and thanks for thanking - it's my pleasure.
Hey, you want a DEFENDER 38, buy an older one.  They show up pretty often on the on-line auction sites and usually sell at a very reasonable price.  I've shot a couple of mine - they are a blast with the factory .38 S&W rounds - takes them about a 1/2 hour to get to the 100 yard berm.  LOL

  Yeah I know. Ihad a Webley and a S&W Terrier in this caliber. It does take a while to hit the berm @ 100 yards.

[Old Fart]

I think I'll make this a sticky.
At least until I find a better place for it.

Great stuff Jim, thanks a bunch for all your info.
Paul

[32 Magnum]

Tim, Paul - you're welcome.  More info than I can handle coming in at this time.  Since Bill G. passed - it seems that people with H&R info have zeroed in on me.  Not that I care - but between the book editing and all the e-mails - I busy, for a change.

[Tx-XDm]

Wow,
That's a long, long history, hope they keep the H&R name , lots of history behind it.