Exhibition Quality Shiro Agawa Hand Engraved & Solid Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 71 Deluxe .348 Winchester Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1936 C&R

SOLD FOR:$7,010

LSB#: 141121PS07
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Company
Model: Model 71 Deluxe
Serial Number: 577
Year of Manufacture: 1936
Caliber: .348 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with 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 and barrel band are marked with the Oval “WP” Winchester proof. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN CONN.” The underside of the receiver is marked “577”.
Barrel Length: 24” with 2/3 Length Magazine Tube
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded brass beaded blue blade on a serrated base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a flip up “U” notch leaf, adjustable for windage and elevation dovetailed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece deluxe walnut stocks feature a fancy checkered forend and pistol grip, blue forend tip and grip and fluted butt stock. A light mar is visible on the left side of the forend at the rear and a cluster of shallow compression marks are present on the belly near the butt. The stocks exhibit widely scattered, very shallow marks from admiration. The checkering is sharp. The grip cap is engraved with a broad scroll pattern which mimics the engraving on the rest of the rifle. The grip cap is in Excellent condition. The forend cap displays intricate engraving which matches the rest of the tool work and is bordered in gold. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger to the back of the roll over butt plate which features fine checkering, engraving and is in Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Fine to Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
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 current metal finish. A patch of surface thinning is present on the top of the barrel above the magazine tube and scattered shallow handling marks are visible on the underside of the barrel and magazine tube. Shallow marks are evident on the plain surfaces on the top of the receiver. The receiver, lever, magazine cap, end caps, butt plate and ¼ of the barrel have been engraved by Shiro Ogawa. The pattern is an extremely intricate scroll design with gold trim on the receiver, hammer, lever forend cap and muzzle. The finish on the receiver has a plum hue while the rest of the finish is a deeper blue. The loading gate is outlined in gold and finished in the deep blue. A gold coyote adorns the right side of the receiver and scenes with a bear and a moose are displayed on the left side of the receiver. Ogawa’s signature can be seen on the top of the receiver. This is an early production ‘long tang’ Winchester Model 71. The screw heads are sharp and engraved to match the artwork on the rifle. The markings are sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: Winchester replaced the 1886 rifle with the Model 71 in 1935, strengthening the internal mechanics to handle the powerful .348 Winchester round. The Model 71 was offered in either rifle or carbine size, with a standard or deluxe variation of each. This is an early production ‘long tang’ Deluxe Model Winchester 71 Rifle we believe to be unfired. It features a 24” barrel with 2/3 length magazine with deluxe checkered pistol grip walnut stocks. A spectacular looking rifle, it displays highly detailed engraving by Shiro Ogawa with gold trim and images of a coyote, a moose and a bear on the receiver. The quality of the engraving is absolutely world class. Ogawa was a Japanese Master Engraver during the mid 1900s. He was the mentor and teacher of many of today’s top Japanese engravers and was often seen exhibiting his work at early Great Western Gun Shows in the Los Angeles during the 1960s. This rifle is a spectacular work of art and a one of a kind Winchester of world class quality.