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Of the long guns in my safes, my Model 71 Deluxe Winchester has to be my absolute favorite. My father purchased this gun from a PA State Trooper in the 1950's. This was to be Winchesters most advanced lever action rifle replacing both the Model of 1886 and the Model of 1895 and using a brand new cartridge - the .348 Winchester. The .348 ammo was initially available in three bullet weights that were appropriate for any North American game - 150 grain, 200 grain and 250 grain. The case was based on the .50-110 case. Here is a .348 cartridge next to a .45-70 for comparison...
The Model 71 was first produced in late 1935 - although my research indicates that only six rifles were produced then. The first full year of production was 1936. I bring this up because my Model 71 has a serial number of 8XX - which also means it had some features that later ones did not. It is what they call a long tang / short comb rifle. These features changed around the 12,000 serial range. Being a Deluxe model it had checkering at the wrist and the fore end and came from the factory with sling swivels and a sling. It was also equipped with a bolt-mounted peep-sight with a screw-out apeture, leaving you with a ghost ring. Production ceased in 1958. Here is my original Model 71 Deluxe...
My father, knowing how much I coveted this rifle, gifted it to me one year for Christmas.
Around 1987 Browning decided to reissue the Model 71 in a limited run made by Mirakou in Japan. They made standard versions, with blued receivers and walnut stocks and they also made 3000 High Grade models with engraved, silver receivers and exhibition grade wood. I was at a small gun auction about 5 or 6 years ago when one of the High Grade Model 71's - NIB - came up for bid. I got into it and it came down to me and one other bidder. I was going to drop out when, what I had determined to be my max bid, was topped by the other guy. The auctioneer looked at me to respond. I shook my head and he said, "Are you sure? You'll regret it." I don't know if the other bidder had given some indication that he was through, at his last bid or what, but I went one more increment and won the auction. Here it is...
And here they are together...
They are the same size - it's just a matter of perspective that makes the High Grade in the foreground appear larger, plus the High Grade used the later long comb / short tang configuration..
The best lever gun Winchester ever made.
Adios,
Pizza Bob
The Model 71 was first produced in late 1935 - although my research indicates that only six rifles were produced then. The first full year of production was 1936. I bring this up because my Model 71 has a serial number of 8XX - which also means it had some features that later ones did not. It is what they call a long tang / short comb rifle. These features changed around the 12,000 serial range. Being a Deluxe model it had checkering at the wrist and the fore end and came from the factory with sling swivels and a sling. It was also equipped with a bolt-mounted peep-sight with a screw-out apeture, leaving you with a ghost ring. Production ceased in 1958. Here is my original Model 71 Deluxe...
My father, knowing how much I coveted this rifle, gifted it to me one year for Christmas.
Around 1987 Browning decided to reissue the Model 71 in a limited run made by Mirakou in Japan. They made standard versions, with blued receivers and walnut stocks and they also made 3000 High Grade models with engraved, silver receivers and exhibition grade wood. I was at a small gun auction about 5 or 6 years ago when one of the High Grade Model 71's - NIB - came up for bid. I got into it and it came down to me and one other bidder. I was going to drop out when, what I had determined to be my max bid, was topped by the other guy. The auctioneer looked at me to respond. I shook my head and he said, "Are you sure? You'll regret it." I don't know if the other bidder had given some indication that he was through, at his last bid or what, but I went one more increment and won the auction. Here it is...
And here they are together...
They are the same size - it's just a matter of perspective that makes the High Grade in the foreground appear larger, plus the High Grade used the later long comb / short tang configuration..
The best lever gun Winchester ever made.
Adios,
Pizza Bob