Winchester Model 71 24″ .348 Win. Rifle, MFD 1939 Blue 24″ Round Lever Action Rifle (Like 1886) C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,525.00
LSB#: 190314DC01

Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 71 Rifle

Serial Number: 15742

Year of Manufacture: 1939

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine.

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked -“WINCHESTER / PROOF STEEL”-, “MODEL 71”, -“WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“-, “348 W.C.F.-“. The top of the barrel at the rear and the top of the receiver at the front are each marked with an ovalled “WP” proof. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / -NEW HAVEN, CONN.-“. The bottom of the receiver at the front is marked “15742”, “X” in front of the right-side bolt block and “D” in front of the left bolt block.

Barrel Length: 24″

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a textured ramped, hooded base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-topped, square-notch leaf and elevator sight with the notch fine adjustable for elevation, dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is not drilled and tapped for a peep sight,

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are 2-piece checkered walnut with a pistol grip, fluted comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and ventilated orange rubber Red Head recoil pad. The forend and buttstock have some scattered minor compressions, scratches, and scuffs. There are a few places at the corners of the checkering where the cut was over-run slightly. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad, 12 3/8″ to the back of the wood. The pad has hardened slightly with age with scattered light wear and discoloration from age and oil, in about Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun. Overall, the stocks rate in about Very Good-plus condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 75% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has some scattered light marks, most on the top between the front sight and forend, a patch of light wear on the left-rear and minor handling marks. The exposed portion of the magazine tube has some light marks with more notable finish wear on the cap screw. The forned nosecap has mostly worn to white with a light patina forming in the worn areas. The receiver has scattered light frosting with finish wear on the bottom, the loading gate, and the top-right and some scattered light marks and scratches. The lever shows similar scattered light wear, scratches and frosting as the bottom of the receiver. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety. The lever lock-up is tight and the trigger is crisp. 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 1939, likely just before the United States was brought into WWII. The war would slow production considerably, with more than 2,500 made in 1941, less than half that number in ’42 and fewer than 100 made in ’43. 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 model has a checkered walnut stock with pistol grip and has had a Red Head recoil pad installed. The 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 about Very Good condition with about 75% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. 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 has its original finish, a bright bore and strong mechanics. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible rifle can be transferred in California.