Winchester 71 Deluxe Like 1886 .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1937 C&R

Sold For: $2,525

LSB#: 200424BR01

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71 Deluxe

Serial Number: 9749

Year of Manufacture: 1937

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine.

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-, “-MODEL 71-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-” and “-348 W.C.F.-“. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.-“. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “9749”.

Barrel Length: 24″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped, base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a dovetail at the rear of the barrel currently filled with a blank. The top of the bolt is cut for a Winchester 98-A peep sight which is installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, fluted comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. There is a sling mount screwed to the belly near the toe and another dovetailed to the nosecap. This rifle has the longer tang and shorter comb of early production models. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has finish remaining inside the checkering with the smooth edges and points of the checkering worn to white showing light wear and some discoloration from oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling which should come out with a patient cleaning.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation, most notable on the loading gate assembly. The bottom of the receiver has handling wear. There are scattered light nicks and scratches, most notable on the left-front of the receiver, continuing onto the chamber ring. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed peep sight.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1937, fairly early in production. The Model 71 was a continuation of the 1886 design, with a pistol grip, shorter magazine tube and round barrel, produced in only two variants, 24″ and 20″. This rifle is chambered in .348 WCF, the only cartridge the 71 was ever chambered for besides experimental models, and which was actually developed just for this model. The cartridge is great for North American big game hunting in brush where shorter shots are taken and with modern projectiles such as Hornady’s Lever-evolution can now perform well at longer ranges, as well. This rifle is in Very Good condition with about 87% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. All of the Winchester rifles made before 1964 are prized by shooters and collectors alike, but the Model 71 was produced for 22 years, a relatively short production life for a Winchester, with fewer than 50,000 rifles made altogether. A model 71 in any condition will likely bring a lot of interest from both hunters and the Winchester collectors, this early Deluxe example will be no exception. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R CAN be transferred in California. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.

Winchester 71 Deluxe Like 1886 .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1937 C&R
Winchester 71 Deluxe Like 1886 .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1937 C&R