I had posted previously that I won an auction for a Winchester Model 71 and that I wanted to make some changes to it. Well after I picked up the Model 71 and got a real good look at it I am going to leave it as it except for changing out the recoil pad for a red Pachmayer. The checkering actually looks really good. It is a little different than that found on a Deluxe but I like it. I am going to just use the peep sight as long as my eyesight will let me. It does have the extra holes from a side mount and the stock was cut for the pad but I have seen much worse for a lot more money than I paid for this one. I believe it is a keeper.

It's just freakin' beautiful! Congratulations! I agree on the butt pad change.
This right here ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7qgsPQmcZM

Very cool. Congrats.

you did good. keep on finding the good ones my friend!

my eyes have already given up. I just ordered a red dot mount from Turnbull that uses the original factory drilled peep sight holes. hopefully it works out so I can keep shooting my 71.

Like Bill said!!!

quote:

It's just freakin' beautiful! Congratulations! I agree on the butt pad change.

Nice rifle!

The squarish diamonds on the chequering remind me of the old commercial FN Mauser from the 1950s, another rifle I'd love to find now.

I have a deluxe 71 with beautiful wood, finer checkering, rounded checkered hammer1938, 348 and a couple of 1950 FNs in 9,3x62 and another in 250-3000, with flat top checkering, like you I like,em..I just like early Mausers and FNS and pre 64 mod 70s. but the best are the JP Sauer and sons on their 98 Mausers built by Sauer with a Mauser contract to do just that..

Toss your hammer and get the early hammer with the framed checkering oh so much nicer..