Post-War Short-Tang Winchester Model 71 Deluxe 348 WCF Lever Rifle 1947 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,475.00

LSB#: WY241114DS125.1

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71 Deluxe

Serial Number: 24936

Year of Manufacture: 1947

Caliber: .348 Winchester

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

Barrel Length: 24″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped, base fixed to the front of the barrel; the base is grooved for a hood that is not present. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The left of the receiver has had four holes drilled, tapped and filled for mounting an optic (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, capped semi-beavertail forend, and ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr recoil pad. There is a sling mount inlet to the belly near the toe. There is no forward sling mount, we suspect that the forend cap has been replaced. This rifle has the shorter tang and longer comb of later production models. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks. There is a crack at the left-rear of the top tang. There are small losses at the top-front corners of the wrist. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 12 1/8″ to the back of the wood, indicating that the stock has been cut. The pad has scattered wear and discoloration, it has hardened some with age. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The left receiver flat and exposed portion of the magazine tube are mostly worn to white. There is light wear on the bottom-front of the receiver and on the lever. There is some scattered light wear on the barrel. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 Deluxe rifle made in 1936, quite 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, showing wear consistent with its age and use in the field. Despite its age, it retains a decent bore and strong mechanics. The stock has been cut for its Pachmayr recoil pad and the forend cap appears to be a replacement as it does not have a forward sling mount. 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 the Winchester collectors and this Deluxe is a neat example of the model. It will make a good addition to a Winchester collection, but would also probably serve well in the field for another lifetime. Please see our photos and good luck!

-Bud