Pre War Winchester Model 71 Deluxe .348 WCF 24” Rifle, MFD 1939 C&R

SOLD FOR: $3,475.00

LSB#: WY240925JT026

Make: Winchester

Model: 71

Serial Number: 19388

Year of Manufacture: 1939

Caliber: 348 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action fed by Internal Tube Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL MODEL 71 WINCHESTER TRADEMARK 348 W.C.F.” The bottom of the receiver is marked “19388” The top of the barrel and receiver are marked with Winchester proof marks. The right side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO NEW HAVEN CONN”

Barrel Length: 24”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a serrated ramp with a protective hood. Mounted to the top of the bolt is an adjustable peep sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a 2 piece walnut stock, fluted straight comb, checkered steel buttplate, checkered and capped semi pistol grip, and checkered forend. 2 sling mounts, 1 in the belly of the buttstock and 1 in the forend cap with a leather sling mounted in them,  The LOP is 13.5” From the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. There are only light marks in the stock and forend. There are no chips or cracks. The stock rates in Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifle is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is some copper fouling in the bore In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition:  This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is only faint evidence of use and storage. The screwheads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in excellent 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 requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 rifle made in 1939. 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 excellent condition with 97% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and stubborn fouling. The stocks have some light wear consistent with use in the field and have been equipped with sling mounts. 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 example retains much of its original metal finish, a nice bore and strong mechanics. It would make for a nice shooter or addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck! M.C.