Don't beat me too hard but here are a few observations from an unititiated Winchester Man:
1.) Model 71's are very, very good looking rifles...at least to my eye.
2.) Model 71's are very, very expensive to purchase on the open market.
3.) Did Model 71's come in any caliber other than .348WCF?
4.) I would like one very, very much!
Over my last 35+ years of following M71's, I can say there were a couple made in .45/70 and a couple in .33 WCF - and I mean just a couple. These are highly collectable
Most are 348 ,but a very few were made in 33 WCF.
rough estimate...not a top shelf collectible, but a decent serviceable 71 that a fella would be able to shoot and hunt without puking at the money he is toting....price?
Don't beat me too hard but here are a few observations from an unititiated Winchester Man:
1.) Model 71's are very, very good looking rifles...at least to my eye.
You have a good eye!
2.) Model 71's are very, very expensive to purchase on the open market.
Yes they are. Original condition bring good money, Deluxe original bring better money, Original carbines bring crazy money.
3.) Did Model 71's come in any caliber other than .348WCF?
Generally speaking yes. I have heard of other calibers, but have not personally seen one.
4.) I would like one very, very much!
How much are you willing to pay for one?
I've seen more than a few under $1000. Shop locally, and forget the auction sites and you'll find a 71 with a price more to your liking.
I passed on one for $699 just awhile back. It had a few extra holes d&t'd into the receiver for a (missing) scope base and had been cut for a pad which was hard as a rock and falling apart ("Redhead" brand, gives you an idea how long it had been on there). Lots of finish wear but a clean bore and strong lockup.
71's are out there, just keep your eye's peeled and your wallet full.
How much are you willing to pay for one?
That is a relative question...not a collector and not well read in this rifle...I know what I like, and I like what I see...3-5K is not what I want!
How much are you willing to pay for one?
That is a relative question...not a collector and not well read in this rifle...I know what I like, and I like what I see...3-5K is not what I want!
They are very nice rifles, everyone has their own idea as to what they want. Here is one of mine. First year production deluxe model with a bolt peep.
![[Linked Image]](http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad223/Whitebird_43/DSC_0009-2.jpg)
How much are you willing to pay for one?
That is a relative question...not a collector and not well read in this rifle...I know what I like, and I like what I see...3-5K is not what I want!
They are very nice rifles, everyone has their own idea as to what they want. Here is one of mine. First year production deluxe model with a bolt peep.
I will go by a picture alone and give you 500 sight unseen.....
Abuddy of mine has one, first year dlux with peep, about 95%. Ser. # is 104 ! He wants $3800.00
ahhhhh yaaaaa....I guess this is what I am talking about and quite afraid of...my "want" will not be funded by my "need" . I can't swing that...no way. I want to shoot it, enjoy it and not schart my pants if a rain drop hits it....I am what I am.
Fatjack: At the risk of being "escorted" off this brand new and wonderful forum subsection, I need to mention the Browning "clones" of the original Winchester Model 71's.
I have friends who use them for black timber Elk stalking in snow with good success!
I have seen certain lesser models of these Browning clones, in good condition, at gunshows for 700'ish.
Just a thought.
I often rue the day I decided to trade of all my lever Winchesters and turned all my Model 71's into Model 70's.
I wish I had a few of them back.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
John, I have had over a dozen 71's ,and i still have several left ,great rifles i let a friend of mine borrow one and he took a 800 lb bull moose at 75 yards ,bang, flop!!!! i don't believe you will find one for less then $1000 unless its beat to hell!!
![[Linked Image]](http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c102/kenster99/HPIM1716.jpg)
Yeah, to find one under a $1000.00 would be pretty much impossible! Almost.Got this at a yard sale for half that.
I said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm gonna start following Kenster around to those yard sales of his!
My M71 is one of the few guns out of all the ones I've sold/traded off over the years that I truly wish I had back. A real "mule killer" at both ends of the gun!
The M71 is just a bit too modern for me. I prefer the .33 WCF and have five 86's and two Marlin M1895's in that caliber. I load my own ammo of course
Ken, Maybe you can find them in California for $500
, But you wont find any in Northern New England that cheap !!!!! Don
Ken, Maybe you can find them in California for $500
, But you wont find any in Northern New England that cheap !!!!! Don
Don,
I recall seeing a few go at Devine's Amoskeag Auction...pretty steep as I look back if memory serves me...and that was before buyers premiums and attitude!
I gave $700 for mine about 8-10 years ago, and it's the last decent one I've seen for under a grand. It's a standard model with about 85% condition, no extra holes and no alterations. Seems like any 71 I see lately has multiple problems AND a high price tag.
If you can find one, though, they are slick,smooth-shooting rifles, and a joy to own.
Rod
Again, I'll say they have little over a .33 WCF but of course, try to find a decent and unaltered one of those for under a grand.
I knew the owner of the" yard sale 71"for 40 + years. He wouldnt part with it when I first saw it probably 30 years ago.
He didnt have any firearms out, but when I asked him if he had any guns for sale,he stated, "i got an ol winchester 348" which I had remembered. Then said, "whats it worth to ya"? I told him $500.00, and he couldnt get into the house fast enough to retrieve it!!
I am looking at a 1986 round barrel 45-90 for sale now, that seems kinda cool. Not exactly a "yard sale" price though!
Those 71's are extremely cool! I love the fact they are a 86 action.
ddj
As for collecting M71's how many different models were there? If I remember correctly there is a standard and a deluxe and a standard length and a "carbine" so are there only 4 variations needed to complete a collection? Of course not counting the one off's like 33Win and 45/70's.
A variant is long tang and short tang versions with the long tang being the earlier and more collectable versions. With or without bolt peep is a factor too. And then the presence of how many factors at once. Most desirable: long tang deluxe carbine with bolt peep.
There were a few special order ones also,but 4 standard models in 348 cal,a few in ,33 cal,45-70 , and i just heard of 1 in 45-90 recently .I have seen one that was factory engraved by one of the Kusmit brothers,i think it was Nick if i remember right.heres a picture of some 71's in a cabinet along with some 1895s and 1886,s Don
![[Linked Image]](http://www.pbase.com/loggah/image/132576829/original.jpg)
Don - some very nice pieces in that cabinet
And man, to learn that a M71 .45/90 is out there somewhere. That would really be something to have
If you find anything more out about it - let me know
You birds are in cahoots!
I've also always wanted a M71 deluxe, preferably with a Lyman Receiver sight. Never have found one that was in both reasonable condition, and reasonably priced
I have to wonder how many model 71's have been rechambered into 450 Alaskan and others. I see them fairly often on the auction sites. Don
Couple of pic's of my 71, made in the early 50's I believe.
paleoman, That rifle has a real nice custom piece of wood on it !!
Don
Eleven years ago - a M71 I used to own.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/M71_Piddlers_Creek_12-27-2000.jpg)
I never thought of a model 71 as a guard rifle !!! must be something real private behind that sign !!
Don
Kind of funny isn't it! Actually the city owns the right of way due to their sewer lines being routed through the property towards the treatment plant, we have the hunting rights. They built a very nice bridge over a deep creek a couple of years ago to get their trucks down to the line junction at the end of that road - sure nice for us to have gates, roads, and bridges maintained by the city without having to invest the time, labor, and money to maintain them.
Wondering Loggah if the factory ever mfg. any with high grade wood like that?
By the way, earlier today I listed a nice set of RCBS .348 WIN dies in the classifieds.
Rod
Wondering Loggah if the factory ever mfg. any with high grade wood like that?
Kind of funny isn't it! Actually the city owns the right of way due to their sewer lines being routed through the property towards the treatment plant, we have the hunting rights. They built a very nice bridge over a deep creek a couple of years ago to get their trucks down to the line junction at the end of that road - sure nice for us to have gates, roads, and bridges maintained by the city without having to invest the time, labor, and money to maintain them.
I like the outfit! Bordeline old school cool.
*****You got out a full bird...really?
The photo doesn't pop up for me
The factory made a few with higher grade wood, damned few tho. Don
I recall seeing a 71 on GB a few years ago, with figured original wood - it brought over $3k, IIRC
One of my more pleasant memories at the range a few years ago came when I was shooting next to a guy with a 71 Deluxe. I had a Stevens 44 1/2 in .32-40. After talking a while we took turns shooting each other's guns. On the first try with his 71, I nailed the X at 100 yards. The owner was astonished, and quickly told me it wasn't for sale!
Middle 2 are Short Tang Deluxes....
![[Linked Image]](http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/kevininnh/DSC00068-2.jpg)
Bottom is a 1937 Long Tang Standard...my favorite....
![[Linked Image]](http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l236/kevininnh/DSC02247.jpg)
I read the occasional $500 dollar 71 but here in the northeast they go for 2500/3500 for mint short tangs and a mint 1st year 98% sold for $4600
Ones with "extra holes go for 1300 to dealers asking 1700....
Can't wait for thee first week in Maine this year....then back to NH
By the way, that looks like a real early Marlin M1895 .45/70? Maybe made in the 1960's? I recall when I was young I stared at the image of that rifle in a Marlin catalog I kept close at hand.
Boltman......not sure of the year but it is a pre-cross bolt in 45-70 with pretty nice wood and a Lyman receiver site...I have someone interested but am not sure I will sell it.....k
Well I had to know.......first two digits are 25....= 1975 8 digits total......right?
Yup. Subtract the first two digits of the serial number from 100 to get the year of manufacture. It should have a Micro-Groove barrel. IIRC it should be one of the latest ones produced with the straight grip. They went to the pistol grip configuration in the middle seventies and changed the model number to 1895S. (S for Sporter.)
Oh, and very nice collection you have there. Mike
Just 1895.......no S.....how do you tell if its a micro groove barrel?
IIRC the microgroove barrels were stamped, "microgroove."
no micro groove roll mark
A variant is long tang and short tang versions with the long tang being the earlier and more collectable versions. With or without bolt peep is a factor too. And then the presence of how many factors at once. Most desirable: long tang deluxe carbine with bolt peep.
I'v seen fewer Standard carbines than Deluxe carbines....My carbine is a short tang Deluxe (circa 1946) w/bolt peep...strong 95% and glad I bought it when I did....