Winchester Model 71 Like 1886 Pre-War .348 WCF Lever Rifle, MFD 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,365.00
LSB#: WY240713MS006
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 71
Serial Number: 17681
Year of Manufacture: 1940
Caliber: .348 Winchester
Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine.
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 which is currently filled with a blank. The top of the bolt is cut for a Winchester 98-A peep sight which is installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece smooth walnut with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered blued steel buttplate. A sling mount has been welded to the forend cap with a sling plate inlaid to the belly at the toe. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most and more notable in the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and minor surface oxidation with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Good-plus condition as modified.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn fouling, most toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some scattered light wear along the barrel, on the lever and the bottom fo the receiver. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly 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. 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 rifle made in 1940. 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 Very Good condition with 87% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and a little 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
