Winchester Model 71, .348 Win, 24” Barrel, Lever Action Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,400.00
WOA#: WY240525BJ103
Make: Winchester
Model: 71
Serial Number: 1022
Year of Manufacture: 1936
Caliber: .348 Win
Action Type: Lever action, 4 round internal magazine
Markings: The left side of the Barrel is marked “Winchester Proof Steel -MODEL 71- WINCHESTER TRADEMARK-.348 W.C.F”. The Right side of the barrel is marked “Made in U.S.A WInchester Arms CO. New Haven Conn”
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a textured ramp leading to a dovetailed blade . The rear sight is a Bolt Peep Sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a 2 piece Smooth wood configuration, there are scratches and dents in the foregrip and heavier dents, impressions and scratches in the buttstock. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the Buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is Bright and the rifling is Sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows wear. There is heavy wear on the bottom of the receiver where it has worn through the finish The screw heads are sharp. The pins are unmarred. The markings are Sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly, the lock up is tight with no rattling. 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: First introduced in 1935, The Winchester Model 71 was the first lever action designed for Winchester by John Moses Browning, and it was intended to house powerful, large-cased black powder cartridges. But by the 1930s Winchester had a problem. Its Model 54 bolt action was successful, but at its heart, Winchester was a lever-action company when it came to rifles. The box-magazine Savage 99 offered serious competition for the ’86, as did Marlin’s side-eject rifles. In this pre-scope era, the Winchester ’94 was still doing fine, but the ’86 was costly, and sales were down. Engineers created manufacturing accommodations to reduce costs. They also went to work on a new cartridge that would max out the big action and be the most powerful and versatile round that could possibly be housed in a tubular-magazine lever action. The rifle was the Winchester Model 71, introduced in 1935, replacing the ’86. Stock style and barrels differed, but cosmetically and almost mechanically, it is an ’86, although few parts are interchangeable. With it came the .348 Win. The success of Winchester’s effort to revive the large-caliber lever action is questionable, primarily as a matter of timing. Scopes came into common use after World War II, and it’s a challenge to scope a top-eject rifle like the 71. Also, rifle shooters were starting to understand the importance of bullet aerodynamics, and like all tubular-magazine rifles, the 71 was restricted to blunt-nose bullets for safety reasons. Even with simplified manufacturing, the Model 71 was expensive. It was also a big rifle, with a cartridge that offered more power than most deer hunters needed. It was manufactured until 1958, and about 70,000 were produced. This Model 71, Manufactured during the second year of its run, shows only moderate use, especially for its age. Adding in the rare Bolt Peep sight, this is a Winchester collectors dream. Created to compete with Bolt action rifles and the optics revolution, it’s a pivotal point in Winchester’s lineage. This is a great collectors item for any firearm enthusiast. Don’t miss out on this rare piece of history. M.C