Browning Miroku Model 71 .348 Winchester Blued Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1987
SOLD FOR: $1,255
WOA#: WY240417DC001
Make: Browning
Model: 71 Carbine, Grade I
Serial Number: 00554PR1C7
Year of Manufacture: 1987 (PR date code)
Caliber: .348 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action, 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.
Barrel Length: 20”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, ramped base which is screwed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The left of the receiver is factory drilled, tapped, and filled in two places for a side mount (not included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with capped forend, pistol grip, straight comb, and checkered blued steel buttplate. Otherwise, there are no major imperfections. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The trigger has taken a pleasant plum hue. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. There is no operation wear. Overall, this rifle is in about Like New 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: This rifle comes with its factory box.
Our Assessment: This is a Browning Model 71 lever action rifle 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. This 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 4,000 made in Grade I. This rifle is in about Excellent-Like New condition with about 99% of its metal finish remaining and a pristine bore. It comes equipped with its factory iron sights. 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, and, in its high condition, it would also make a great addition to a Browning or lever-action collection. Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
