Winchester Model 71 Deluxe Like 1886 24″ .348 Win Lever Rifle, MFD 1953 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1975
LSB#: 210301AA01
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 71 Deluxe
Serial Number: 37201
Year of Manufacture: 1953
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 WIN.-“. 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 “37201”.
Barrel Length: 24″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood, but none is present. The rear sight is a “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The left of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for a receiver sight (none present).
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 dovetailed to the bottom of the nosecap. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scrapes and scratches with some areas of thinning finish in the grip areas. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear, mostly at the heel, and some scattered minor surface oxidation with 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 at the muzzle-end.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has infrequent light finish wear and a few minor nicks and scratches. The receiver has some scattered minor surface oxidation, most notable in the top tang, wear at the bottom-front and some scattered minor nicks and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight when the hammer is back, a little bit loose with the hammer down. 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: None.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1953. 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 beautiful example of the model, showing honest wear consistent with use in the field. 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. It would make for a nice shooter or addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!