20 | WINCHESTERCOLLECTOR.ORG • Summer 2021 The final topic of discussion in this article deals with the “conflicting” difference in the published dates of manufacture for the Model 71. Author George Madis listed production dates based on his stated research of Winchester records. Winchester’s original Polishing Room Serialization Record Books (PRSRB) seldom ever agree with Madis’ dates, though as you will see in the following table, there was not a large difference in most years. As can be seen, Winchester’s actual production rate was higher for all years that can be verified. The serial numbers listed in the PRSRB column are the actual year ending production numbers as verified in the records at the Cody Firearms Museum. The figure in green in the Difference column is the numerical difference between the PRSRB and Madis, and also represents the greater amount of guns made per year than what George Madis originally published. Year PRSRB Madis Difference Annual Production 1935 477 4 473 477 1936 9749 7816 1,933 9,272 1937 14700 12985 1,715 4,951 1938 16325 14688 1,637 1,625 1939 17845 16154 1,691 1,520 1940 19838 18268 1,570 1,993 1941 21402 20811 591 1,564 1942 22945 21961 984 1,543 1943 22956 21051 1,905 11 1944 22956 22051 905 0 1945 23010 22224 786 54 The Cody Firearms Museum Records Office has the original Winchester Polishing Room Serialization Records through December of 1945 (serial numbers 1–23010). The records for the remaining production years are in the possession of Pauline Muerrle, #858L, PaulineMuerrle.com The following tables show the total number of each variation that has been verified and recorded in the research survey thus far, and also the extrapolated production number for each variation. The calculations were based on a total production of 47,254 (the highest reported serial number in the PRSRB). Of note, serial number 48262 was discovered listed in an old James D. Julia auction catalog. There was no picture of the serial number in the auction listing to confirm its existence, therefore I cannot definitively say whether it exists or not. That stated, I suspect that the “8” in the serial number is actually a “3”, making it 43262. Variations Qty. % of Extrapolated Special Rifle 1,302 52.99% 25,041 Standard Rifle 991 40.33% 19,059 Special Carbine 122 4.97% 2,346 Standard Carbine 38 1.55% 731 Receiver Only 1 0.04% ? 3 0.12% Total 2,457 Caliber Qty. % of Extrapolated 348 W.C.F. 2,212 90.03% 42,542 348 WIN 228 9.28% 4,385 348? 7 0.29% 135 33 W.C.F. 4 0.16% 77 45-70 3 0.12% 58 308 W.C.F. 2 0.08% 2 None 1 0.04% 1 Total 2,457 In summary, the Winchester Model 71 was the last true big bore lever-action rifle based on a John M. Browning design. When it was discontinued in late 1958, the shooting public was left with just one choice for a high-power leveraction rifle… the entirely new and modern Model 88. For those who are interested in my continuing research, and would like to participate in the research survey, please contact me at [email protected] or (360) 881-0272 (evenings, Pacific Standard Time). Happy hunting and collecting to all, Bert Hartman WACA Historian [email protected] Comparison of the Polishing Room Serialization Record Books vs. Madis
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