Make: Winchester

Model: 71

Serial Number: 32282

Year of Manufacture: 1951

Caliber: .348 WCF

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Barrel Length: 24?

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped base forged to the barrel; the bead has been painted white. The rear sight dovetal is filled with a Williams blank. The left of the receiver is drilled and tapped with a Lyman 56 receiver sight installed, adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, pistol grip, straight comb and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. Sling swivels have been installed in the belly and the forend cap. The stocks have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 light wear on the heel and around the edges with some minor oxidation in the well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered light marks including light wear from the previously installed rear sight. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A Winchester Model 71 hang-tag is included.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 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 an example of the model from post-war production. The rifle shows light wear consistent with some use in the field, limited actual firing, and proper maintenance. 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 will surely be no exception. It should also still make for a wonderful hunting rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!