Browning Miroku Model 71 High Grade Engraved .348 Winchester Lever Rifle

SOLD FOR: $3125

LSB#: 220117LJ048

Make: Miroku in Japan for Browning

Model: 71 Carbine, Limited Edition High Grade

Serial Number: 00326PR6C7

Year of Manufacture: 1987 (PR date code)

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action, 3/4 Length 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. The sides of the receiver contain High Grade floral and decorative border engraving and show gold inlay game scenes.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded beaded blade dovetailed to a 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 side of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled for a side-mounted optic (not included).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered wood with capped forend, pistol grip, fluted straight grip, and checkered blued steel buttplate. The stocks have only a few scattered hardly noticeable marks throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered little freckles of oxidation. The stocks rate in about Fine-Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue & Stainless w/ Gold Inlays

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some scattered erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The bolt, hammer and lever have very light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates 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: Included is a serial matching box with a manual. The box shows scattered light finish wear.

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 3,000 made in High Grade. This rifle is in about Excellent condition with about 99% of its metal finish remaining, and there are only a few light marks in the wood. 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 but in its high condition, it would make best as an addition to a Browning or lever-action collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Browning Miroku Model 71 High Grade Engraved .348 Winchester Lever Rifle
Browning Miroku Model 71 High Grade Engraved .348 Winchester Lever Rifle