Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71 Special Rifle

Serial Number: 21024

Year of Manufacture: 1941

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 is a "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered steel buttplate. There is a sling plate inlet to the belly and a sling mount dovetailed to the bottom of the forend cap, each with a QD swivel installed. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is more notable scraping in the checkering on the left of the grip. There is a crack at the right-rear of the forend. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly worn to white with some finish in the well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The barrel address is a later style, indicating that the barrel has been replaced. The barrel's Winchester Proof is double-struck with a "P" stamped over the marking. The "P" is not in an oval, so it is possible the barrel was replaced by Winchester.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and a little stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 92% of its metal finish. The most notable wear is in the magazine cap, forend cap, and lever. The finish is otherwise generally strong with some scattered minor oxidation and a few light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition as not parts original.

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: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Special Rifle made in 1941. 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 light wear for its age of more than 80 years and with a barrel that may have been replaced at the factory. 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 strong bore and mechanics. It would make for a nice shooter or addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!