Winchester Model 71 Deluxe (1886) .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, MFD 1940 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725
WOA#: WY231028DC004
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 71 Deluxe
Serial Number: 17989
Year of Manufacture: 1940
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-” and “-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 “17989”.
Barrel Length: 24” Approximate
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a hooded, textured, ramped, base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear of the barrel is dovetailed with a semi-buckhorn sight with riser. The left side of the receiver is mounted with a Williams Scope Base with a Weaver K4 rifle scope.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped semi-pistol grip, fluted straight comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered shotgun-style checkered steel buttplate. There is a sling mount screwed to the belly near the toe and another under the nosecap with sling swivels. This rifle has the short tang and long comb of post 1937 models. There are a few compression lines and scratches that are dark due to being oiled over. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined with some light interruptions on the right side of the forearm near the front. The LOP measures 13.25 from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone patina with finish remaining in the checkering, which is sharp, and erosion and light pitting along the edges. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good 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 60% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most significant thinning is on the top of the bolt and the loading gate. There is scattered faint surface erosion throughout the metal. There are a few small scratches and scuffs on the receiver and outside of the barrel. There is freckled corrosion on the metal. The operational wear light to moderate. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition for a C&R rifle.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly though a bit stiff. 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. It takes quite a bit of strength to break the lever away from the lower tang.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with its attached scope and its Winchester leather sling. The leather sling is free from any rips or tears and remains pliable. There are some scratches but nothing that affects the integrity of the leather.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1940, quite early in production. 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 about Very Good condition with about 60% of its original metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. 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 early Deluxe example has much of its original finish, a fairly nice bore and strong mechanics. Please see our photos and good luck! -L.S.
