The Model 71 was unlikely to have been fitted with a Mershon pad at the factory. I would have a reproduction 1922 Winchester solid red pad installed. This is the type of pad pad that would have been installed on a 71 at the factory.
I found this thread whilst searching for a Mershon Pad. In Madis' "The Winchester Book" there is an illustration of a M71 with a factory installed Pachmayr ventilated pad (p. 320). It does not appear to be very well fitted, in that the toe line of the pad is not a continuation of the bottom line of the stock.
The caption on the photo states, in part: "..Pachmayr made recoil pads for Winchester, and some of their pads will be found on the model 71."
