Paul, I’m no expert but CSC makes a solid [unventilated] patent date Winchester pad that I believe would be the most correct for your Model 71.  The one you illustrate is for later Winchesters. 

The correct one is still catalogued by CSC.

This reproduces what Winchester would have installed if a Model 71 [1936 to 1957]  had been ordered from WRA with a pad, unless the order specifically requested a different pad.

If I have erred in this advice, one of our true experts on the subject will please jump in and correct me. 

I think the one I pointed out will cover all of the classic Winchester lever actions. If there’s any doubt, just call them and they will give you the dimensions. 

Paul, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.  I’ve seen several fairly hard-kicking Winchestet rifles fitted with the same CSC pad and they look righteous. 

I once owned a used 1956 Model 70 Featherweight 30/06 that came to me with its aluminum buttplate gone and a brown ventilated Pachmayr “Whiteline” pad properly installed. It was in good shape so I left it alone because the rifle was quite accurate with Winchester Supreme 180 grain Ballistic Silvertips. Five rounds at the bench was very easy but 10 really required you to think about your trigger. 

I sold that rifle to my hunting partner to stop him from forcing hundred dollar bills down my throat. If I’d kept it, I would have ordered the same pad you just did. 

It may just be my faulty memory but I think almost all the Model 71 standard [non-Special] grade rifles I’ve seen at shows had been fitted with recoil pads of one brand or another. While we worship originality and the craftsmanship and elegance of the old shotgun style, checkered steel buttplates, the boys who bought the plain jane style of the gun likely used the money saved to have a rubber pad put on, since they planned on shooting it a lot. Those were more likely a workingman’s rifle, to be carried and shot more than a couple of rounds a year..