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I have an old friend who’s a long time Winchester collector. Because he’s now in his mid-80s and his Son isn’t interested in his hobby, he’s been slowly selling his collection. I’ve purchased several of my higher condition pieces from him. Along the way, there have been a few that he’s been too emotionally attached to, and wasn’t ready to sell. I called him a week or so ago, and he told me, “I think you should come and see me.” I knew exactly what that meant, and yesterday I paid him a visit….I drove home with four new “passengers”. He said, “Just take them home, clean them up, sleep on it, and you can pay me next time you see me for the ones you want, and bring back the ones you don’t.” This is the one I believe he’s been most attached to… I’m honored to have met this man, and humbled by his kindness and trust in me….
July 17, 2012
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Wow, just wow!
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
September 22, 2011
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Serial number 9, nice rifle and condition is excellent and not refinished!
June 12, 2013
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Fantastic model 71. You both should be honored to be caretakers of such a fine gun
November 7, 2015
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Very nice rifle, exceptional and unusual contrast in the wood. I can see why your friend would be fussy about the next caretaker of this fine example.
Mike
February 18, 2024
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Warmly reminds me of a mentor I had that treated me like that. Enjoy the guns later , enjoy the man now while you still have him. I miss my mentor deeply.
April 15, 2005
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Yes indeed… a very fine addition to your growing collection! Congrats!!
The PR date for it is 10/26/1935. I now have serial numbers 3, 4, 7, and 9 in my survey, all four were manufactured on the same day. Serial number 9 was the last rifle on that date, serial number 10 was not manufactured until 10/31/1935.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 19, 2006
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JWA said
Wow, just wow!
You took the words out of my mouth.
March 21, 2011
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That’s a special kind of special right there!! I too have a friend in his late 80’s. I cherish every visit I have with him.
Darrin
Bert H. said
Yes indeed… a very fine addition to your growing collection! Congrats!!
The PR date for it is 10/26/1935. I now have serial numbers 3, 4, 7, and 9 in my survey, all four were manufactured on the same day. Serial number 9 was the last rifle on that date, serial number 10 was not manufactured until 10/31/1935.
Bert
Bert,
I’ve emailed Jesi to see if this will letter. Is there any chance that the wood was special ordered, or was it just luck of the draw? Have you seen other examples with similar wood?
Thanks!
April 15, 2005
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[email protected] said
Bert H. said
Yes indeed… a very fine addition to your growing collection! Congrats!!
The PR date for it is 10/26/1935. I now have serial numbers 3, 4, 7, and 9 in my survey, all four were manufactured on the same day. Serial number 9 was the last rifle on that date, serial number 10 was not manufactured until 10/31/1935.
Bert
Bert,
I’ve emailed Jesi to see if this will letter. Is there any chance that the wood was special ordered, or was it just luck of the draw? Have you seen other examples with similar wood?
Thanks!
No letter is available, and the wood was not special ordered. Winchester had a habit of putting slightly better than average wood on the very early new model production rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
[email protected] said
Bert H. said
Yes indeed… a very fine addition to your growing collection! Congrats!!
The PR date for it is 10/26/1935. I now have serial numbers 3, 4, 7, and 9 in my survey, all four were manufactured on the same day. Serial number 9 was the last rifle on that date, serial number 10 was not manufactured until 10/31/1935.
Bert
Bert,
I’ve emailed Jesi to see if this will letter. Is there any chance that the wood was special ordered, or was it just luck of the draw? Have you seen other examples with similar wood?
Thanks!
No letter is available, and the wood was not special ordered. Winchester had a habit of putting slightly better than average wood on the very early new model production rifles.
Bert
Well….. it definitely is slightly better than average 😂😂😂
April 30, 2023
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That stock figuring is NICE, which I really didn’t have to say out loud, but dang!
June 1, 2023
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That rifle is an absolute gem! You must be thrilled to get it. I know I would be.
BRP
Blue Ridge Parson said
That rifle is an absolute gem! You must be thrilled to get it. I know I would be.
BRP
I Definitely am….😁
July 14, 2016
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Well done, that is a fine 71. And a single digit serial! Your mate sounds like a true gentleman. You will cherish it for a long time
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
January 8, 2025
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This shows that just being a kind appreciative person will get you far in life. Speaks volumes of your character.
However, the situation you’re in now. Should you make things better by cleaning up the guns you don’t own yet. The family will benefit from your work and you will be trying to buy your work back at auction or whatever.
It’s not an easy thing to do but I’d advise having a good honest conversation about life and death with this man, that obviously treats you like a son.
You think it’ll all work out until a lawyer calls you about property of the estate.
Just random advice from someone you don’t know on the interwebs. Take it for what it’s worth.
-Adam
Bert H. said
Yes indeed… a very fine addition to your growing collection! Congrats!!
The PR date for it is 10/26/1935. I now have serial numbers 3, 4, 7, and 9 in my survey, all four were manufactured on the same day. Serial number 9 was the last rifle on that date, serial number 10 was not manufactured until 10/31/1935.
Bert
Bert,
Did you actually put your eyes on 3,4, or 7 ?
Do you recall the wood on any of these being exceptional? Just curious….
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