Pre-War Winchester Model 71 Deluxe Long Tang .348

In-House Shipping: $50.00 + 1.5% Shipping Insurance Tang 24" .348 WCF Lever Action Rifle, 1936 C&R. Make: Winchester Repeating Arms Model: 71 Deluxe Serial Number: 3919 Year of Manufacture: 1936 Caliber: .348 Winchester Action Type: This rifle has a lever action with a two thirds length tubular magazine. Barrel Length: 24" Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade dovetailed to a textured, ramped, base fixed to the front of the barrel. The base is grooved for a hood, but none is present. The rear sight dovetail is filled with a blank. The top of the bolt is cut for the installed Winchester 98-A peep sight, adjustable for windage and elevation. The windage adjustment nut has been replaced. Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight 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. This rifle has the longer tang and shorter comb of early production models. The stocks have general handling wear with scattered nicks and light scratches. There is a more notable mark in the front of the comb. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate is mostly worn to white with finish remaining in the cuts of the well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition. Type of Finish: Blued Finish Originality: Original Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8+/10. Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is light handling wear on the bottom of the receiver and some light wear on the top of the bolt. The lever loop has mostly worn to white with some areas going to a light patina. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. There is finish wear on the magazine and forend caps, going to a light patina. There is wear on the top of the barrel from a previously installed elevator sight. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in 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 Deluxe rifle made in 1936, 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 Very Good condition, showing light wear consistent with responsible use in its intended purpose. Despite its age, it retains a good bore and strong mechanics. 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 is a nice example of the model. It will make a great addition to a Winchester collection, but would also probably serve well in the field for another lifetime. Please see our photos and good luck!