Winchester Model 71 Deluxe Like 1886 24″ .348 WCF Lever Rifle, MFD 1949 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,476.00

LSB#: WY240814SM001

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms 

Model: 71 Deluxe

Serial Number: 28805

Year of Manufacture: 1949

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine. 

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “MADE IN NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S. OF AMERICA / -WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL-“, “-WINCHESTER- / -TRADE MARK-“, “MODEL 71 – 348 W.C.F.-“. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “28805”. 

Barrel Length: 24″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. There is a dovetail at the rear of the barrel, currently empty. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Williams receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, checkered steel buttplate, a sling plate mounted in the belly and another mounted to the bottom of the nosecap. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The grip areas show some handling wear, most notable in the right-rear of the forend as from being carried by the receiver. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has been refinished with scattered light erosion under the finish and well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued 

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.  

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable finish wear is in the bottom of the receiver with some scattered more minor wear. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation, mostly in the worn areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever locks up properly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed Super Grade detachable sling swivels.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1949. 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 is a nice example of the model, showing honest wear consistent with use in the field over the last 75 years. 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 nice Deluxe example retains a good bore and strong mechanics, not to mention coming with a set of Super Grade sling swivels. It would make for a nice shooter or addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud