Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71

Serial Number: 15106

Year of Manufacture: 1938, C&R

Caliber: .348 WCF

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 hooded beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel and slotted for a hood (hood present). The rear sight dovetailed is filled with a blank. The top rear of the bolt is installed with an adjustable aperture sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece deluxe 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 at the bottom of the forend cap. The stocks have some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has minor wear with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion and some minor fouling. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 7.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning on the leading edges. There is finish loss on the bottom of the receiver and lever. There is intermittent oxidation and handling wear. The action shows mild operational wear. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight. 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 Deluxe rifle made in 1938. 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.

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 great bore and strong mechanics. It would make for a nice shooter or addition to a collection.