I couldn’t resist the 71

[Randy F]

Today I couldn’t pass up this old Winchester.
It’s a standard long tang 1936 Model 71 according to the 76xx serial number. I’m no expert, but from what little I do know it seems to be all original with the expected wear and tear for the age and sporting what I believe (and was told) is the No.98 factory bolt mounted peep sight.
I could be wrong on that and would appreciate it if anyone could dispute or confirm that.
Front sight hood is MIA of course. Aside from that, it seems to be intact and in pretty good shape for its age.
Any other info on it, good or not so good, would be appreciated.
.348 Win ammo on the way.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I think I saw that one! Very nice!!

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Sweet!

 

[TroyF]

Wish I had a few of the ones my dad sold, his cousin was a Alaskan gunsmith and guide and was buying everyone dad
could get. Had to be a 100 plus over the years.

 

[Randy F]

I think I saw that one! Very nice!!

I bought it 3 miles from the farm from a wonderful older lady who sadly lost her husband a couple of years ago. He had quite a collection.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I bought it 3 miles from the farm from a wonderful older lady who sadly lost her husband a couple of years ago. He had quite a collection.

Gotcha.. I was recently looking at 71s. Great acquisition!

 

[Nevada Mike]

Wonderful old rifles. I had a deluxe rifle in the original .349 WCF caliber. i have seen them in 400 and 450 Alaskan models and I believe there was a 375 wildcat, too.

 

[Tbitty]

Beautiful rifle. Can't help you much with any knowledge on it, but congrats on the find. Operational oldies are great.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Today I couldn’t pass up this old Winchester.
It’s a standard long tang 1936 Model 71 according to the 76xx serial number. I’m no expert, but from what little I do know it seems to be all original with the expected wear and tear for the age and sporting what I believe (and was told) is the No.98 factory bolt mounted peep sight.
I could be wrong on that and would appreciate it if anyone could dispute or confirm that.
Front sight hood is MIA of course. Aside from that, it seems to be intact and in pretty good shape for its age.
Any other info on it, good or not so good, would be appreciated.
.348 Win ammo on the way.


View attachment 471232
View attachment 471236View attachment 471237View attachment 471248View attachment 471252View attachment 471253View attachment 471255View attachment 471254

@RandyF
That's what made me build my Whelen. Always wanted a 71 in 348 but could not find one. When I did I could have built 3 rifles for what they were asking.
Bob

 

[Randy F]

Wonderful old rifles. I had a deluxe rifle in the original .349 WCF caliber. i have seen them in 400 and 450 Alaskan models and I believe there was a 375 wildcat, too.

I hadn’t heard that.
I was under the impression that the only caliber the 71 came in was the 348 in 150, 200, and 250 gr. I read somewhere that the 250 grain was more popular in Canada and Alaska for moose and bear…the 200 gr. settling in as most popular in the lower 48.
I hadn’t heard of Alaskan models in bigger calibers.

 

[WAB]

Very cool rifle!

 

[krish]

The bigger models were all converstions. Wcf model 71 was made only in 348 caliber. Yes at one time I collected them. Still have s few.
Do have a couple of them NIB. They are very hard to get NIB. Very expensive say like 9k.
Krish

 

[Randy F]

The bigger models were all converstions. Wcf model 71 was made only in 348 caliber. Yes at one time I collected them. Still have s few.
Krish

That’s interesting.
Do you have a thought on the peep on this one?

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I bought it 3 miles from the farm from a wonderful older lady who sadly lost her husband a couple of years ago. He had quite a collection.

@Randy F
Knowing you you tightwad you probably told ther it's not worth much and offered her a pittance for it.
Please leave it as standard and don't AI it or go to a 45 or 50 Alaskan and ruin it.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I hadn’t heard that.
I was under the impression that the only caliber the 71 came in was the 348 in 150, 200, and 250 gr. I read somewhere that the 250 grain was more popular in Canada and Alaska for moose and bear…the 200 gr. settling in as most popular in the lower 48.
I hadn’t heard of Alaskan models in bigger calibers.

@Randy F
The Alaskan is a caliber that someone wumped up to give the old girl a lot more grunt. If you need none grunt than the 348 get an 86 in 45-90 or 45-110.
Bob

 

[krish]

The peep looks original. The peep sight alone was going for 500 to 700 dollars in the last few years. I may have 3 of them with peep sight. Just bought couple of after market peep sights on gun broker last week. They were like $95.

 

[Randy F]

@Randy F
Knowing you you tightwad you probably told ther it's not worth much and offered her a pittance for it.
Please leave it as standard and don't AI it or go to a 45 or 50 Alaskan and ruin it.
Bob

Don’t be a Dick…Bob.

Her late husband left her a list and she stuck pretty close to what he had down on paper. This is the third one I picked up from her…they’re not getting any cheaper by volume but we both did ok.

And it’ll stay just as it is.

 

[krish]

Molesting it any way the value goes down dramaticaly.
Krish

 

[Randy F]

The peep looks original. The peep sight alone was going for 500 to 700 dollars in the last few years. I may have 3 of them with peep sight. Just bought couple of after market peep sights on gun broker last week. They were like $95.View attachment 471261

Thank you.

 

[krish]

I have plenty of brass, ammo, and bullets for it. If you are interested.
Krish