Make: Winchester
Model: 61 Special Deluxe
Serial Number: 301857
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Caliber: .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR)
Action Type: Pump Action with Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24" Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable "U"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top of the receiver is grooved for mounting an optic (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece “Special Deluxe” of “imported Walnut” and “select wood”, featuring elegant fancy checkering throughout, a round bottom slide handle, capped semi-pistol grip, straight comb, small brass plate (upon which an owner would’ve had his initials engraved) inlaid at the bottom of the buttstock, and Winchester checkered black hard rubber buttplate. The wood shows a couple light handling marks. The LOP measures 13 3/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are a couple light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes in the original Winchester serial number matching factory cardboard box with hang tag, instructions, safety manual, and brown wax paper packaging. The box is in Very Good condition, with some light edge and corner wear, and some light overall aging.
Our Assessment: Winchester was the first American company to offer a practical .22 pump-action rifle, the Model 1890. Designed by gunmaking genius John Moses Browning, the Model 1890 was patterned after Winchester's iconic lever-actions with a tubular magazine under the barrel, an exposed hammer, and top ejection. It was an instant success and set the standard for all .22 repeaters that followed. In 1909, Remington introduced a pump-action .22 that used an internal hammer, allowing the receiver to be streamlined and well sealed against moisture and debris. In 1915, Marlin introduced a similar hammerless .22 rifle. The innovative designs made Winchester's pump guns look a bit "old fashioned", and in an attempt to attract new customers during the depths of the Great Depression, Winchester decided to introduce their own "modern" hammerless .22 pump-action. The resulting Model 61 hammerless rifle was released in 1932, and produced until 1963. Model 61s chambered in .22 WMR with round barrels were only offered after WW2. The more powerful .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire gave the rifles a little more punch and range. This Vintage Winchester Model 61 Rifle was made in 1959 and is in Excellent condition. It features 99% of its crisp, original blued finish, gorgeous two-piece “Special Deluxe” stocks of “imported Walnut” and “select wood” with elegant fancy checkering throughout, and a bright bore with sharp rifling, and comes complete in the original Winchester serial number matching factory cardboard box with hang tag, instructions, safety manual, and brown wax paper packaging. This is a beautiful example of a scarce Model 61 “Special Deluxe” in .22 WMR.
RIFLE