Browning Miroku Model 71 High Grade Engraved .348 Winchester Lever Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2,075.00
LSB#: WY250330GC083
Make: Miroku in Japan for Browning
Model: 71 Limited Edition High Grade
Serial Number: 00676PR6C7
Year of Manufacture: 1987
Caliber: .348 Winchester
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine.
Barrel Length: 20” Carbine
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight, dovetailed to the barrel. The left side of the receiver is drilled, tapped, and filled for sight options.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with a semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs, and compressions. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering. The wood sits proud of the metal. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Stainless with Gold Inlays
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is stubborn fouling down the length of the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The finish is lightly thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered light marks. The action shows minor operational wear, most evidently on the hammer. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight. 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: None.
Our Assessment: This is a Browning Model 71 lever action carbine 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 and metal. 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! – L.S.
