Browning Model 71 Carbine Like 1886 348 Winchester Lever Action Rifle, 1987
SOLD FOR: $1476
LSB#: 210831RL08
Make: Browning
Model: 71 Carbine, Limited Edition Grade I, 3461 of 4000
Serial Number: 03461PR1B7
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.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with capped forend, pistol grip and checkered blued steel buttplate. There are a few spots of light oil residue on the buttstock by the buttplate. There are some compressions, the most noticeable are on the bottom of the forend at the front and on the comb. There are a few light draglines and light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has strong finish and strong checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. There are a couple freckles of faint surface oxidation on the receiver. The lever has some thinning on the edges and has a couple freckles of light surface oxidation. There are a couple light handling marks on the barrel. The locking lugs have a few little spots of dark discoloration from previous oxidation. There are light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine 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: Included is a serial matching box and a manual. The box has some tears, scrapes, tape, creases, edgewear, and some punctures, in about Good condition.
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. 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 4,000 made in Grade I. This rifle is in about Fine condition with about 96% of its metal finish remaining, a great bore, and minor 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, 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!