Browning Model 71 Carbine Like 1886 348 Winchester Lever Action Rifle, 1987

Sold For: $1,352

LSB#: 200709ZP60

Make: Browning

Model: 71 Carbine, Limited Edition Grade I

Serial Number: 02819PR1C7

Year of Manufacture: 1987 (PR date code)

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action, Tube-Magazine Fed Rifle

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “BROWNING MODEL 71 CALIBER .348 WIN”. The right of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 71 CALIBER .348 WIN”. The top of the barrel at the rear, the top of the chamber ring, the left of the bolt and both locking lugs are each marked “NP”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, ramped base which is screwed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The left of the receiver is factory drilled and tapped with a Lyman 66 A receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with capped forend, pistol grip and checkered blued steel buttplate. The stocks have only a few scattered minor nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has strong finish and strong checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action has light operational wear and there are a few scattered minor marks on the receiver. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Browning Model 71 lever action rifle with a 20” barrel chambered in .348 Winchester. The original Model 71 was an improvement on the Model 1886, the designation Winchester gave when they simplified the options offered and consolidated the caliber offerings to just .348 Winchester. The .348 was a new cartridge developed to be a one-shot-does-all, replacing all of the chamberings of the 1886 from .33 to .405. The rifle is a faithful reproduction of the Winchester Model 71, chambered in the original cartridge and made in 1987 as part of a limited edition run with only 4,000 made in Grade I. This rifle is in about Excellent condition with about 98% of its metal finish remaining, a great bore, and minor marks in the wood. It comes equipped with its factory iron sights as well as a nice Lyman 66 A receiver sight. The .348 Winchester was most popular with hunters in Canada and Alaska, as it could be used to take down elk and moose as well as dealing with any brown bears which wanted to contest the hunter’s claim to their kill. This rifle would still make a great hunting gun today, and, in its high condition, it would also make a great addition to a Browning or lever-action collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This rifle CAN be transferred in California.