Browning Model 71 Carbine Grade I Limited Edition Blue 20″ Lever Action Rifle, 1987 .348 Winchester

SOLD FOR: $1,225.00
LSB#: 181114CM05

Make: Miroku in Japan for Browning

Model: 71 Carbine, Limited Edition Grade I

Serial Number: 00744PR1C7

Year of Manufacture: 1987 (PR date code)

Caliber: .348 Winchester

Action Type: Lever Action, 3/4 Length Tube-Magazine Fed Rifle

Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q. / MADE IN JAPAN” and “BROWNING MODEL 71 CALIBER .348 WIN”. The right of the barrel is marked “BROWNING MODEL 71 CALIBER .348 WIN”. The top of the barrel at the rear, the top of the chamber ring, the left of the bolt and both locking lugs are each marked “NP”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 20”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a ramped base which is screwed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood but none is present. The rear sight is a square-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. There is a Williams receiver-mounted peep sight installed which is screw adjustable for windage and elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with capped forend, pistol grip and checkered blued steel buttplate. The stocks have only a few scattered light marks, the most notable a compression mid-way on the toe line, just right of center. 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 no notable wear or damage with sharp checkering, in Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Fine-Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. The bolt, hammer and lever have very light operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Browning Model 71 lever action rifle with a 20” barrel chambered in .348 Winchester. The original Model 71 was an improvement on the Model 1886, the designation Winchester gave when they simplified the options offered and consolidated the caliber offerings to just .348 Winchester. The .348 was a new cartridge developed to be a one-shot-does-all, replacing all of the chamberings of the 1886 from .33 to .405. The rifle is a faithful reproduction of the Winchester Model 71, chambered in the original cartridge and made in 1987 as part of a limited edition run with only 4,000 made in Grade I. This rifle is in about Excellent condition with about 99% of its metal finish remaining, and there are only a few light marks in the wood. The .348 Winchester was most popular with hunters in Canada and Alaska, as it could be used to take down elk and moose as well as dealing with any brown bears which wanted to contest the hunter’s claim to their kill. This rifle would still make a great hunting gun today, with a nice Williams peep sight to allow for greater precision. In its high condition, it would also make a great addition to a Browning or lever-action collection. Please see our photos and good luck!

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This rifle can be transferred/sold in California.