Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71

Serial Number: 8586

Year of Manufacture: 1937

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. The stocks have a few scattered light marks. There are short cracks and a filled loss at the heel. There is another small filled loss at the top-front corner of the wrist on the left. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear going to a light patina with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 94% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The most notable finish wear is on the magazine cap with more minor wear on the bottom of the receiver. There are a few light nicks, scuffs and small scratches. There is some residue built up on dried grease, mostly around the top and bottom of the locking bolts. There are infrequent spots of minor oxidation. The action shows light 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: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 rifle made in 1937. 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 with about 94% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling and a little minor erosion. The stocks have some light damage consistent with use in the field. 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!