Winchester Model 71 Deluxe (1886) .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1938 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2425
LSB#: 210926RS21
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 71 Deluxe
Serial Number: 15786
Year of Manufacture: 1938
Caliber: .348 Winchester
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two-thirds-length 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 at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.-“. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “15786”.
Barrel Length: 24?
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped, base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear of the barrel is dovetailed for a rear sight which is not present with a blank installed in the dovetail. The top of the bolt is cut for a Winchester 98-A peep sight which is installed, adjustable for windage and elevation. The peep aperture piece is missing from the base.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, fluted comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered steel shotgun-style checkered steel buttplate. There is a sling mount screwed to the belly near the toe and another dovetailed to the nosecap with Winchester Super Grade quick-detach sling swivels. This rifle has the longer tang and shorter comb of early production models. There are dispersed draglines, scratches, small gashes, and compressions throughout the wood. There are areas of finish loss, the most notable finish loss is around the back of the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined with some light interruptions on the left side of the forearm. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone patina with finish remaining in the checkering, which is sharp, and erosion and light pitting along the edges. Overall, the stocks are in about Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most significant thinning is on the top of the bolt and the loading gate. There is scattered surface erosion throughout the metal. There are nicks and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There are some spots of faint pitting on the receiver and barrel. The operational wear is moderate. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. 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: This rifle comes with the installed peep sight.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1938, 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 about Good-Very Good condition with about 60% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and minor erosion. 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 early Deluxe example has much of its original finish, a fairly nice bore and strong mechanics. Please see our photos and good luck!