Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71 Deluxe

Serial Number: 1787

Year of Manufacture: 1936

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. The rear sight has been removed, the dovetail is filled with a blank. The top of the bolt has Winchester 98-A peep sight, adjustable for windage and elevation. The left of the receiver has had four holes drilled, tapped and filled for mounting an optic (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, capped semi-beavertail forend, and ventilated brown rubber Pachmayr recoil pad. There is a sling mount inlet to the belly near the toe and another dovetailed to the nosecap, each with a Winchester Super-Grade QD swivel installed. This rifle has the longer tang and shorter comb of early production models. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering shows handling wear, but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14" from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 13" to the back of the wood. The pad has scattered wear and discoloration, it remains fairly supple. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition as refinished.

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 scattered stubborn copper fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8-9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks and scratches. There is finish wear on the magazine cap and lever. There is some minor oxidation, mostly on the top of the bolt and on the loading gate assembly. 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. 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 an Uncle Mike's leather sling.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1936, quite early in production. 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 Very Good condition, showing light wear given its age and use in the field. Despite its age, it retains a good bore and strong mechanics and comes equipped with a set of Super Grade QD sling swivels. 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 early Deluxe is a neat example of the model. It will make a great addition to a Winchester collection, but would also probably serve well in the field for another lifetime. Please see our photos and good luck!