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Hi all! Just the quick observation that, unless perhaps I’m just missing something, the Winchester 71 gets very little traction in forums. Am I right and blatant discrimination 🙂 or should I just settle down and have (another) beer? Win 71 owners of the world unite! Let’s see some interesting blogs!
Thanks! 🙂
Did you miss the article that I wrote about the Model 71?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert, I have a list you posted on number’s of rifles of 1885 ‘s produced in different calibers . I have an 64xxx ser number with 45 Eley on barrel, i didn’t find that caliber listed. It was proofed stamped 450 express on side of barrel. Have any info???
Billy,
Where did you find the list I posted? Was it a complete list, or just a partial?
In my complete caliber survey, there were (468) high-walls made in 45 ELEY.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Did you miss the article that I wrote about the Model 71?
Bert
Wow! I guess I did miss it Bert. I’d appreciate the opportunity to read! Could you give me a Website reference or…?
Yet too, beyond poking fun, there just seems to be little going on with the 71s. Of course nothing like the numbers, or variations of many other models. Still, I’m surprised to see so little apparent interest! My sole 71 is feeling lonely! 🙂
Thanks for a pointer to your article. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks
iskra/John
The way to read WACA articles is to become a member then you
iskra said
Bert H. said
Did you miss the article that I wrote about the Model 71?
BertWow! I guess I did miss it Bert. I’d appreciate the opportunity to read! Could you give me a Website reference or…?
Yet too, beyond poking fun, there just seems to be little going on with the 71s. Of course nothing like the numbers, or variations of many other models. Still, I’m surprised to see so little apparent interest! My sole 71 is feeling lonely! 🙂
Thanks for a pointer to your article. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks
iskra/John
The way to access WACA articles is to become a member and find them by clicking on MAGAZINE above and then searching “Past Issues”.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Here is a link to a Fun vintage video put out by Winchester Western back in the 40s. It has many Model 71 Scenes. My Winchester buddies and I quote the catch phase often when shooting our rifles. (Winchester)”Silver-tip she say socko” This is especially true when firing a 250 grain .348 with my 1948 Model 71.
Its seems there might be more vintage Winchester videos/movies out there. Anyone know??
Amazing how in the 40’s 3 guys could go moose hunting in 1 car pulling a small pickup bed trailer and today no one can venture past the city limits without a 350 diesel quad cab extended bed duelly pickup pulling a 34′, or longer, air conditioned satellite dish and full kitchen equipped trailer!
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
I’ve seen that video before. Its a great one. I only wish I had one of those “Winchester” labeled tents to go camping in.
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
That was a cool video, thanks for sharing.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Try to get your rifle and shotgun across the checkpoint nowadays. They would do a strip search and see your red longjohns..
thanks for sharing the video
44
Thanks for the video and poignant chat relating! How true re the ‘equipage’ required nowadays… not to mention the beer compliment. Likely a tapper!
Thanks for the heads up Bert.
Best &
My take
I have always admired the Model 71. It wouldn’t completely surprise me if quite a few collectors would like a nice specimen in their collections. As for myself, any free money I have laying around tends to get spent on the older Winchester models. I expect that if the 71 had been produced in a wider range of calibers, there would be more collector activity, with fellows focusing on their favourite calibers. As it is, I still think a lot of collectors will pause to admire a nice 71 when they see one, perhaps even wishing it was in their collection.
Good Morning from the Twilight Zone,
It’s 9:38am and 40 degrees here in the Zone, projected high today of 60 degrees,
If I get this done in a reasonable amount of time, I’m going Trout Fishing today.
Ahhhhhh the Winchester Model 71,
It’s flawless, smooth as silk action. Just like it’s little brother, the Model 1892 and their father the Model 1886. Derived form the Grandfather, the Winchester Model 1885.
Think about the Model 71, they were still making Model 1886’s into the Thirty’s with parts clean up. I think Winchester needed a BIG Game Cartridge for the time frame. Yes you had the Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle, but the Person that favored the Leaver Action Rifle needed something new and the Model 71 was created.
Ya know, it’s not only velocity that instantly makes a clean kill, along with that speed you need the hitting power of a large caliber bullet and it seems that Winchester developed the prefect cartridge for that time frame. The 348 Winchester Center Fire, think about the Model 1886, the 45-70 Cartridge was necked down to the 33 WCF because of the development of Smokeless Powder.
Then you ask, why didn’t Winchester produce the Model 71 in 45-70 Caliber with Smokeless Powder? Instead of the 348 WCF.
Well, It’s like this. People need New stuff for the time frame they live in. I think Winchester made so many different Calibers for the Model 1886 and by the time the Model 71 came about, some were obsolete back in that time frame.
As can be seen from other Winchester Models, they were doing away with the Special Order features and Standardizing the Models they were still producing. Ya know, to many choices confuse some people, so Winchester was taking that out of the equation of buying a New Model 1886. The New Model 71 Winchester in only one Caliber 348 WCF.
Most certainly, it would kill any Big Game in North America. Would I use it to go Deer Hunting? Sure, why not, a well placed Hart Shot, standing broadside, as to not destroy any meat. The fact is, I think Winchester developed the Model 71 to fill a void in the Leaver Action Rifles, compete with the Model 70 and probably utilized some left over Model 1886 receivers making the Long Tang Model 71’s . Then the sales were so good for the New Model 1886, they for some reason decided to make the Short Tang Model.
Lastly, I compare the Model 71 Winchester to the Model 64 Winchester,
Why? Because they were manufactured in the same time frame. You could buy the Standard Rifle or Carbine, in both Models, plus if you had the extra cash, you could buy the Deluxe Grade Rifle or Deluxe Grade Carbine.
Well people, I would like to go on about this matter but, it’s 10:28am, the Trout are calling my name and I don’t want to waste the day and this nice weather.
So, From the Twilight Zone.
Enjoy your Day and keep thinking about those elusive Winchesters….![http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/images/smilies/Thumbup19[1].gif](http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/images/smilies/Thumbup19[1].gif){kind=small}
"I Would Have Rather Lived Through The Industrial Revaluation"
"Instead of The Space Age"
From
The Twilight Zone
win38-55 said
I have always admired the Model 71. It wouldn’t completely surprise me if quite a few collectors would like a nice specimen in their collections. As for myself, any free money I have laying around tends to get spent on the older Winchester models. I expect that if the 71 had been produced in a wider range of calibers, there would be more collector activity, with fellows focusing on their favourite calibers. As it is, I still think a lot of collectors will pause to admire a nice 71 when they see one, perhaps even wishing it was in their collection.
Great thread …I would say I agree +1 with this thought, and save you from another of my rambling posts
Phil
Well, just parting thoughts. The Model 71, a unique Winchester product, yet well within scope of a long tradition of fine lever rifles. Yet I wonder if the firm was ever truly behind it.
As others mention, the steadfast reliance on a single Model 71 chambering seems an error of immense proportions! An American public used to choices and from that mid-thirties intro, likely expecting a flowering of available cartridges soon afterward. Such a potential opportunity for five years before the war came to us with production interruption.
Then especially in the postwar era, that single chambering hobbled the 71 and set it on a terminal flameout. A second factor and admittedly more personal speculation, that of advertising. IN those fifties, I’d bet the ratio of advertising content between such as the Model 70 and 71 was perhaps five or more to one respectively. Also the plethora of 70 chamberings likely a dramatic contrast, negatively pointing up the Model 71 limitations. In that dynamic era of a ‘new & improved’ postwar world, nothing to be said ‘new & exciting’ about the Model 71! Rather, sort of… “It’s out there if you want it.” Finally, it was in competition with the firm’s own Model 88. A different beast entirely yet the perceived Jetsons of the era AND from the start offered in several chamberings.
Finally, the external factors of competition. Such as Remington with the Model 760 pump and 742 semi-auto; the Savage and the Marlin in direct lever competition. All in multi-chamberlains. The one mitigating industry wide factor of an increasingly tough marketing environment in the context of America then being awash in cheap MilSiups.
Yet the conclusion to my mind concerning the 71… ‘Hello Winchester! Where were you!’ Sure not taking care of ALL the family. It wasn’t in the firm’s stars, it was in themselves!
Just my take
” As others mention, the steadfast reliance on a single Model 71 chambering seems an error of immense proportions! An American public used to choices and from that mid-thirties intro, likely expecting a flowering of available cartridges soon afterward. “
Ive always wanted a 71 and come close a couple times, but as a re-loader , shooter know the 348 has a large capacity making it trickier for reduced loads
I bet the 348 Cal is great for large game , but possible over kill for most deer hunting. I would like to have seen an offering in 33 cal.(I think a very few were made in 33 possibly only for test purposes ? )
In my 86 I am very impressed with this 33 Win. cal. , being not bad kicking , good trajectory, accurate and effective, and fairly easy to get appropriate . 338 bullets. I think this would have been a great adequate choice for bigger deer , and moose ( my ancestors used a 33 for moose and praised it in all hunting conversations) without the punishment of the 348
I know Women used the 348 effectively for hunting , but the 33 would allow more practical target practice , even off the bench , with less punishment and chance of flinching
If I could have one in 33 I certainly would have sought one out
Phil
Phil,
Winchester did offer the Model 71 in 33 WCF (listed in the catalogs), but very few were actually made. In my Model 71 research survey, I have recorded a total of 1,129 guns, and of that number, (2) are 33 WCFs, and (1) is a factory made 45-70. I susect that fewer than (100) Model 71s were made in 33 WCF.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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