Winchester Model 71 Deluxe/Special .348 WCF Lever Action Herb Parsons Rifle
SOLD FOR: $2403
WYOA#: WY220916RB009
Make: Winchester Repeating Arms
Model: 71 Deluxe/Special
Serial Number: 9364
Year of Manufacture: 1937
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 “9364”.
Barrel Length: 23.5”
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 sight is a “V”-notch semi-buckhorn leaf and elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, fluted comb, semi-beavertail forend with steel cap, and checkered steel shotgun-style buttplate. There is a sling mount screwed to the belly near the toe and another dovetailed to the nosecap with Winchester quick-detach sling swivels and an attached brown leather sling. This rifle has the longer tang and shorter comb of early production models. The checkering is well defined with only slight scuffing. The LOP measures 13 1/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. 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 93% of its metal finish. There is light wear throughout the receiver. There is some scuffing at the base of the tube magazine, and some buildup of patina on the metal end cap. There is one notable set of scratches on the barrel. Overall this rifle rates in Fine-Very Good condition
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: This rifle comes with the installed peep sight and sling.
Our Assessment: This is a Winchester Model 71 Deluxe rifle made in 1937, quite early in production. The Model 71 was a continuation of the 1886 design, with a pistol grip, shorter magazine tube and round barrel. 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. The Model 71 is also a Hollywood star, and features in the film “Winchester ‘73”, where the “Wizard of Winchesters” Herb Parsons used it to trick shoot for Jimmy Stewart. 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. Grab up the lever action that was the choice of Herb Parsons and countless others throughout the years and add it to your collection today!
