Winchester Model 71 Carbine like 1886 20″ .348 Win. Lever Rifle, 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,975.00
LSB#: LSB250707WH004
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 71 Carbine
Serial Number: 13462
Year of Manufacture: 1938
Caliber: .348 Winchester
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine.
Barrel Length: 20″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marble Sheard beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base forged to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood which is not present, it is the correct shorter, 2 1/2″ base found on Carbines. There is a dovetail at the rear of the barrel which is 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.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered blued steel buttplate. The stock is the early-type with a longer tang and shorter comb. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and scratches. There are a couple of more notable dings in the left of the forend and one in the belly. 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 scattered wear and oxidation with well defined checkering. 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 infrequent minor erosion in the bore, most toward the muzzle-end, with scattered stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7-8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 35% of its metal finish. The barrel is mostly worn to white with a little finish where protected by the magazine tube. The tube has wear toward the front with some good finish immediately in front of the forend cap. The receiver has wear primarily on the bottom with areas of the bottom tang going to a light patina, otherwise having generally good finish. Some worn areas are going to a light patina. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. 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 Winchester Model 71 Carbine made in 1938. 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″, with the shorter carbine being notably more scarce. 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 Good condition with about 35% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and a little minor erosion. The rifle shows wear consistent with use in the field over the last 85+ years. 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 Carbine in any condition will bring a lot of interest from the Winchester collectors and this example will be no exception. It would make for a nice shooter or addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
