Pedersoli’s Lever Action 1886/71 rifle
Originally produced between 1936 and 1957 with important technical variations from the Model 1886 introduced by John M and Matthew S Browning, it was identified as the only gun chambered for a specific cartridge (.348WCF), as well as the last ‘big frame’ lever-action rifle manufactured by Winchester. Advertised as ‘The Universal Big-Game Rifle’, the Model 71 was welcomed by big-game hunting enthusiasts.
Davide Pedersoli Company has reintroduced the lever-action rifle to use a cartridge historically known and readily available today and is proud to reintroduce this famous gun of the first half of the 1900s. Since its first introduction at the international shows in the 2010, many hunters and shooters have showed interest and looked forward its production.
During the tooling phase, the rifle has been revised slightly mechanically, thanks to modern computer systems, to eliminate any small problems and to improve reliability and safety. These features were originally planned; however, the new CAD-CAM systems enabled Pedersoli to check the action and possible problems of the mechanism since the first prototypes. This is an advantage the manufacturers could not rely on 60 and more years ago.
Compared to the original model, a few modifications have been applied, including: a small improvement of the extractor’s profile and its spring; matching the shape and dimensions of the modern cartridge; and improving the cartridge lifting mechanism.
The Lever Action 1886/71 is a gun of great elegance. Easy and instinctive to handle, it represents with its lever-action mechanism the golden era of United States gun history.
The forged frame and the tubular magazine holding five rounds are blued finish, as are the barrel and lever. The pistol grip buttstock features a metal cap. The walnut fore-end and stocks are chequered. A thick and strong buttplate completes the stock, which is also equipped with a rear sling swivel. The front sling swivel is attached at the fore-end cap.
The rifle is drilled and tapped to be equipped with a Creedmoor sight, faithfully reproduced from the original Winchester model, which is currently being prepared for production. The standard sighting equipment is a tunnel front-sight fitting to the dove-tail base screwed to the barrel and the rear-sight is adjustable for elevation.
The .45-70-calibre barrel, with six grooves profiled by Pedersoli’s broaching system, has a twist rate of 460mm (one in 18") and is 610mm (24") long. The overall length of the rifle is 1.080mm (429/16") and the weight is 3.4kg (7.49lb).
The Lever Action 1886/71 is available in a Standard and Premium finish, with the latter having its frame and grip cap case-hardened. It is also possible to equip the rifle expressly for hunting complete with base for a scope or red dot sight.
For information, visit www.davide-pedersoli.com or contact the Australian distributor Forbes Wholesale on 03 9439 6111, 0419 376 624 or forbes@forbesws.com.au
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