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I’ve been shooting and hunting with model 71 rifles for years and currently have two of the special rifles. One of them was made around 1940-1941. The other, I believe was made in 1936-1937. The earlier one has a three-digit serial number. That one has fancy wood and a Lyman peep sight. My questions are, did they come with fancy wood or was it available on special order? Would a factory letter tell you if the sight was original to the rifle and if it came with a higher grade of wood?
Thank You
John Strong
Online
Unfortunately, there are no records to consult on Winchesters made in that time frame. But if you could post pictures here, the many experts could give you a good idea of whether or not the higher grade of wood originated in the Winchester factory.
BRP
November 7, 2015
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John-
I’ve seen just enough early 71’s to develop a suspicion they often used a bit nicer wood on the early “Specials”. I don’t believe that was usually the case with later guns. That’s a bit annoying for me as I prefer the configuration of the later guns and I’m a sucker for pretty wood. That’s just my observation, no formal research involved. Does the peep sight on your early gun mount on the bolt or does it mount on the receiver.
Mike
John Strong said
I’ve been shooting and hunting with model 71 rifles for years and currently have two of the special rifles. One of them was made around 1940-1941. The other, I believe was made in 1936-1937. The earlier one has a three-digit serial number. That one has fancy wood and a Lyman peep sight. My questions are, did they come with fancy wood or was it available on special order? Would a factory letter tell you if the sight was original to the rifle and if it came with a higher grade of wood?Thank You
John Strong
John,
If you will provide me with the serial numbers, I can determine the precise date of manufacture (and can add them to the research survey).
Winchester did (on special order) put fancy grain stocks on the Model 71 Special rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert,
That may just be the prettiest Winchester 71 that I have ever seen! And with the bolt peep sight, it is just plain perfect. I could make room in the safe for that one ANY day.
BRP
Blue Ridge Parson said
Bert,That may just be the prettiest Winchester 71 that I have ever seen! And with the bolt peep sight, it is just plain perfect. I could make room in the safe for that one ANY day.
BRP
It is not my rifle (wish it were though), and Yes, I too would definitely make room for it in one of my safes… even if I had to kick one of be beloved old Single Shots out into the cold!! 
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Here are a couple of pictures of the rifle with serial number 845. The wood is not quite a nice as the one Bert posted, but pretty nice. It also looks like a Lyman 56a sight. I am curious if it came with that sight or if it was added later. Thank you Bert. I also responded to the email about the barrel and the sight on the later one.
Bert H. said
Blue Ridge Parson said
Bert,
That may just be the prettiest Winchester 71 that I have ever seen! And with the bolt peep sight, it is just plain perfect. I could make room in the safe for that one ANY day.
BRP
It is not my rifle (wish it were though), and Yes, I too would definitely make room for it in one of my safes… even if I had to kick one of be beloved old Single Shots out into the cold!!
Bert
I would be very happy to own that one also
John Strong said
Here are a couple of pictures of the rifle with serial number 845. The wood is not quite a nice as the one Bert posted, but pretty nice. It also looks like a Lyman 56a sight. I am curious if it came with that sight or if it was added later. Thank you Bert. I also responded to the email about the barrel and the sight on the later one.
John,
Is the bolt milled & tapped for a No. 98A sight?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
John Strong said
Here are a couple of pictures of the rifle with serial number 845. The wood is not quite a nice as the one Bert posted, but pretty nice. It also looks like a Lyman 56a sight. I am curious if it came with that sight or if it was added later. Thank you Bert. I also responded to the email about the barrel and the sight on the later one.
John,
Is the bolt milled & tapped for a No. 98A sight?
Bert
Bert,
No, the bolt is not set up for the 98a sight? There doesn’t appear to be any scratches or wear on the barrel from having a barrel sight mounted.
November 7, 2015
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Blue Ridge Parson said
Bert,That may just be the prettiest Winchester 71 that I have ever seen! And with the bolt peep sight, it is just plain perfect. I could make room in the safe for that one ANY day.
BRP
Agreed! The ones I was referring to were probably not quite 1X wood but had some nice figure. John’s rifle is quite a bit nicer than I’ve seen but I suspect the receiver sight is not original. Have you taken the wood off this early 71, John?
Mike
John Strong said
Bert,
No, the bolt is not set up for the 98a sight? There doesn’t appear to be any scratches or wear on the barrel from having a barrel sight mounted.
That is a very good indicator that the Lyman No. 56 is original.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
TXGunNut said
Blue Ridge Parson said
Bert,
That may just be the prettiest Winchester 71 that I have ever seen! And with the bolt peep sight, it is just plain perfect. I could make room in the safe for that one ANY day.
BRP
Agreed! The ones I was referring to were probably not quite 1X wood but had some nice figure. John’s rifle is quite a bit nicer than I’ve seen but I suspect the receiver sight is not original. Have you taken the wood off this early 71, John?
Mike
Mike,
No, I have not taken the wood off on this one yet. I have only had it for about a week. I am still trying to figure out what to pay for it. My friend handed it to me and told me to give him what I thought was appropriate for it. My other special rifle was about $1800- $2000 when I got it and my stardard rifles were about $1400 when I had them. I am not real up to date on Winchester prices as I mostly collect Pa/ Kentucky rifles. Every once in a while , I end up taking an antique rifle in trade for a Kentucky at shows. I suspect this rifle is worth more than the others I have or had. I want to give him a fair price for it.
Thanks,
John
Bert H. said
John Strong said
Bert,
No, the bolt is not set up for the 98a sight? There doesn’t appear to be any scratches or wear on the barrel from having a barrel sight mounted.
That is a very good indicator that the Lyman No. 56 is original.
Bert
Thank you Bert,
Do you know what kind of slings the special rifles originally came with? I will be set up at the Allentown show in December and may try and find some original slings just to have. I also set up at Baltimore, so I should be able to find something. How many do you now have in your survey?
Thanks again.
John
John,
The swivels are the same quick disconnect type that Winchester used for the Model 64 Deer Rifles, and the Model 70 Super Grade rifles.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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