Make: Winchester
Model: 61 Special Semi-Deluxe
Serial Number: 288405
Year of Manufacture: 1958
Caliber: .22 Short, Long, or Long Rifle
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 and Condition: The stocks are two-piece “Special Semi-Deluxe” walnut of “select wood” with a round bottom slide handle, capped pistol grip, straight comb, and Winchester checkered black hard rubber buttplate. There is no significant wear or damage. The LOP measures 13 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate checkering is sharp. Overall, the stocks are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are a few areas of dried grease but no significant wear or damage. The screw heads have minor tool marks with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is a cross-bolt safety at the front of the trigger guard and a slide release at the left rear. We did not fire this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This rifle comes in the original Winchester serial number matching factory cardboard box with hang tag, instructions, safety manual, and brown packaging paper. 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. This Vintage Winchester Model 61 Rifle was made in 1958 and is in Excellent condition. It features 99% of its crisp, original blued finish, gorgeous two-piece “Special Semi-Deluxe” walnut stocks of “select wood”, strong mechanics, 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 packaging paper. This is a beautiful example of a scarce Model 61 “Special Semi-Deluxe” in .22 S/L/LR.
RIFLE