Winchester Model 71 Like 1886 Post-War .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle 1949 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,338.00

LSB: LSB260417JG013

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71  

Serial Number: 30081

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 “30081”.

Barrel Length: 24″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base integral to the front of the barrel. The rear sight dovetail has been filled.  The left side of the receiver is mounted with a Williams adjustable peep sight. 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and rubber Pachmayr recoil pad. The LOP is 13 1/2″ from trigger to recoil pad. There are sling mounts installed. The stock has been refinished. There are minor repairs on the belly of the stock. There are scattered scratches and compression dents throughout. There are spots of chipped finish scattered throughout. The forend has shrunk and is loose. There are no major structural cracks. Overall this stock is in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. There is a fair amount of stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There is handling and operational wear. There are spots of pitting that have been blued over. There are light scratches and spots of corrosion scattered throughout. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. 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: Extra barrel that has been rebored to .450 Alaskan. Includes dies and around 80 rds of brass in various stages of forming and priming, will ship extras separately.

Our Assessment: This Winchester Model 71 is a desirable post-war, C&R-eligible lever-action rifle manufactured in 1949 and chambered in .348 Winchester. Built as Winchester’s modernized successor to the Model 1886 pattern, the Model 71 is respected for its strong action, smooth handling, and capability as a serious big-game lever rifle. This example retains the classic 24″ barrel, two-thirds magazine, pistol-grip walnut stock, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and receiver-mounted Williams adjustable peep sight. The rear barrel sight dovetail has been filled, giving the rifle a practical receiver-sight hunting configuration.

Condition is Good overall as refinished. The rifle retains about 90% of its current metal finish, with handling and operational wear, light scratches, scattered corrosion spots, and areas of pitting that have been blued over. The markings remain clear and the screw heads are sharp. The walnut stocks have been refinished and show scattered scratches, compression dents, chipped finish spots, minor belly repairs, sling mounts, and a Pachmayr recoil pad. The forend has shrunk and is loose, but there are no major structural cracks, leaving the wood serviceable in Good condition while clearly limiting collector originality.

The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion, though there is a fair amount of stubborn copper fouling, rating 8/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly and the hammer retains its half-cock safety, though the rifle has not been test fired. The included extra barrel rebored to .450 Alaskan, along with dies and approximately 80 rounds of brass in various stages of forming and priming, adds notable value for the enthusiast interested in big-bore lever rifle projects, though fit, chambering, and ammunition should be verified by a qualified gunsmith before use. Overall, this is a solid and practical Winchester Model 71 with desirable .348 W.C.F. chambering, useful peep sight, and significant accessory appeal, best suited as a capable sporting rifle or custom-platform candidate rather than a high-originality collector example. Please see our photos and good luck on your bids! MF