Browning Miroku Model 71 High Grade Engraved .348 Winchester Lever Rifle

SOLD FOR: $2,925

LSB#: 231024MW007

Make: Miroku in Japan for Browning

Model: 71, Limited Edition High Grade

Serial Number: 00740PR6R7

Year of Manufacture: 1987

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with ¾ Length Tube Magazine Fed Rifle

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “BROWNING MODEL 71 CALIBER .348 WIN”. The right of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 71 CALIBER .348 WIN”. The top of the barrel at the rear, the top of the chamber ring, the left of the bolt and both locking lugs are each marked “NP”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The sides of the receiver contain High Grade floral and decorative border engraving and show gold inlay game scenes.

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The hooded front sight is a brass beaded blade that is fixed to a serrated riser and screwed into the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn leaf with a U-notch and elevator that is dovetailed to the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered wood with a capped forend, pistol grip, and checkered blue steel buttplate. The checkering is mostly sharp with a few semi compressed patches. The pistol grip edge shows a few impact marks. The stocks show a high polish finish that is very pleasing to the eye. The LOP measures 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the steel blued buttplate. The buttplate shows a few light speckles of oxidation under bright light. There are no chips or cracks present. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall 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. In this writers opinion, the bore rates a 9.5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are some light scratches and very light thinning on high use areas. The markings are clear. There is a small discoloration on the bottom of the receiver (please see photos). The screw heads are sharp. Overall this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned 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 rifle with a 24” 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. 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!

-CC