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Bert,
Thank you for the update on the Model 71 in the Summer 2021 magazine. Great read!
I pulled out my two special rifle Model 71’s, both of which I previously provided, (16584 long tang, 18920 short tang) and compared to the five notable production changes that you delineate. Both rifles show features consistent with your analysis with exception of the muzzle on 18920 which appears crowned and NOT blued (?). Otherwise both have Type 1 barrel address, non-drilled receiver frame, checkered/knurled hammer, hard black rubber Winchester logo pistol grip cap. 16584 has the number 98A bolt peep. 18920 has number 22-K rear barrel sight. My uncalibrated eyeball cannot discern if the stock checkering is the same on both (I think they are).
Anyway, thanks for the article.
Mac
WACA 10564
Big Mac said
Bert,Thank you for the update on the Model 71 in the Summer 2021 magazine. Great read!
I pulled out my two special rifle Model 71’s, both of which I previously provided, (16584 long tang, 18920 short tang) and compared to the five notable production changes that you delineate. Both rifles show features consistent with your analysis with exception of the muzzle on 18920 which appears crowned and NOT blued (?). Otherwise both have Type 1 barrel address, non-drilled receiver frame, checkered/knurled hammer, hard black rubber Winchester logo pistol grip cap. 16584 has the number 98A bolt peep. 18920 has number 22-K rear barrel sight. My uncalibrated eyeball cannot discern if the stock checkering is the same on both (I think they are).
Anyway, thanks for the article.
Mac
WACA 10564
Mac,
You and the rest of our WACA members are quite welcome… I really enjoyed putting this article together for the Collector Magazine.
Your M71 rifle S/N 18920 is on the very leading edge of the production change to the crowned barrel muzzles (manufactured in early October 1939). It is interesting to note that it was apparently left in the white in the same manner as the uncrowned barrels.
Speaking of the article, it has apparently sparked a lot of new interest in the research and as a result my phone has been ringing off the hook for the past few days. As a result. it has increased the total in the survey to 2,510 total and one new M71 in 45-70! I suspect that the survey will grow to more than 2,600 specimens within the next few months.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
[email protected] said
Great Article Bert!You can add #13334 to your survey!
The 3rd variation, a plain 20 inch Barrel, with non-checkered Walnut stock, non capped pistol grip.
Type 1 Barrel address.
Winchester no. 22-K, Rear sight, w/no receiver holes drilled.
Standard front bead sight, w/hood missing.
Uncrowned, in the white muzzle face.
Good Condition, used, slightly worn.
Thanks, and you have the hardest to find variation of the Model 71. With the addition of your 20-Inch Standard, it becomes just the 39th one found out of a total of 2,515.
Bert
p.s. if you have good pictures of it, I would appreciate seeing them.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
[email protected] said
Really, I did not realize that!I will take some pics with natural light tomorrow, and post them.
Thanks, Bert
Please also send them to my personal email – [email protected]
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
[email protected] said
Bert,
I sent pics to you this morning.
Let me know if you didn’t receive them, otherwise, naturally, I will assume that you got them.
Yeah the old Boy used, and Hunted a lot with this old Rifle.
The only reason I got it was because he finally said, and admitted, that his Hunting days are over with, and that He won’t be needing it any more.
He made me promise to use it and Hunt with it!
So It’ll be going to Hunt Camp this Fall, in P.A.
Tony
Tony,
Thanks for posting the pictures. That old Model 71 “Carbine” should make a great hunting rifle. It was used for its intended purpose, but was also well cared for!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert! The time it took to assemble all the information is one thing, but the pictures and quality of the article is another. Truly professional, 11 pages well worth saving for future reference. T/R
TR said
Thanks Bert! The time it took to assemble all the information is one thing, but the pictures and quality of the article is another. Truly professional, 11 pages well worth saving for future reference. T/R
Thank you for the compliment… there will be more articles to follow that will hopefully be equal to this one.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Speaking of the article, it has apparently sparked a lot of new interest in the research and as a result my phone has been ringing off the hook for the past few days. As a result. it has increased the total in the survey to 2,510 total and one new M71 in 45-70! I suspect that the survey will grow to more than 2,600 specimens within the next few months.
Bert
That’s great news!
Thank you Bert for putting together the most comprehensive information on these fabulous rifles – to date!
And although it excites me every time you uncover another 71 in 45-70 or 33 WCF, it also makes the reality of not having one of either that much more painful ?
Thanks for your tireless efforts!
Joel,
The total for the 45-70 is now up to (6), with the total in the survey now at 2,516. I just spoke at length with one of the fellows who has an authentic 45-70 and knows where its twin brother is located. The two rifles were ordered by a father & son for a Moose hunting trip.
Keep the faith… one will eventually cross your path and get added to your collection!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Good luck with your quest,jsgwoodsman.Would love to have a Winchester Model 64 Deer Rifle in .38-55 and .32-40 myself.Probably never will, as they are hard to find and if I did find one ,it would probably be more than I could afford.
Any way, always nice to dream.
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
Mac,
You and the rest of our WACA members are quite welcome… I really enjoyed putting this article together for the Collector Magazine.
(SNIP)
Speaking of the article, it has apparently sparked a lot of new interest in the research and as a result my phone has been ringing off the hook for the past few days. As a result. it has increased the total in the survey to 2,510 total and one new M71 in 45-70! I suspect that the survey will grow to more than 2,600 specimens within the next few months.
Bert
That’s pretty exciting, having additional unusual specimens like the 33’s and 45-70’s surface is pretty exciting too. Quite honestly I purchased my 71 as an “1886 Wannabe” but as a result of your article(s) I’ve come to appreciate them on their own merits. Besides, every now and then I like to rattle to roof over the rifle range at my club.
Mike
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