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Ia a Sako Finnbear L61R, serial #94xxx, a pre-garcia model? Came across one,30-06, is nice condition. Any input on value?
Thanks

Last edited by Cruiser1; 07/13/11.
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My guess would be no. My M72 has a five digit serial number and is definitely a Garcia import. Anyone that can verify this? Can't comment on value.

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I hate to tell you but your Sako does not exist....Not according to the Sako database. The #'s on the L61R go from 1 - 90,954, last date of manufacture being 12/9/1973. After that, the sequencing goes absolutely haywire.

Seriously, one with that low a s/n has to be a good 'un...I love my low s/n Sakos...have a half dozen of em from that time frame.

Here is the Sako database of serial numbers...take a stiff drink and then try to make sense of it....Good luck and post a picture of it when you can...

http://www.sako.fi/pdf/datatables/SakoOldmodelsNumbering.pdf


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Godogs,
I agree; I found that chart and could not locate a 94xxx series, though it is confusing. I have only seen pics and have asked for clarification before I drive 2 hours to see in person. Anything specific I should be on the lookout for on inspection? He is asking $1100 w/ a new 3-9x40 Conquest and what looks like Leupold ringmounts.
Thanks

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Values are all over the board on Sakos. I believe that they are worth more than the money they bring, due to the quality of manufacturing. The bolt in that L-61 has more machining in it than most production rifles have in the entire gun. Put that with the accuracy and the fact that the magazine is designed to work for the caliber they are made in, and you have a virtually custom made rifle for off the shelf pricing.

If it is a Pre-Garcia gun, it will also have a third locking lug on the bolt in the rear bridge, making them quite strong.

If the gun is in good shape, with a Zeiss scope on it for the price, it is worth it if you want the gun. I just sold a German Weatherby Mark V in 300 Weatherby, with a Weatherby scope on it for $1000.00. It was near mint, I believe the Sako to be a superior gun, but the market doesn't usually bear that out...



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The importer would be stamped on the bottom of barrel ahead of forestock, or somewhere on the barrel if it's a mannlicher

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Correction SN # is 85038

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When did Garcia start importing them?

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I believe 1972. This may be an early Garcia import,still trying to confirm.

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Owner says it does not have an importer stamp on the barrel and insists it is a pre-garcia rifle? Does it really matter much? What is the premium people pay for pre-garcia vintage?
Thanks

Last edited by Cruiser1; 07/14/11.
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Does it matter much?

Nope, but it must to the seller if he is insisting.

If you have to hunt for that SN, it prolly isn't a FI import, but a Stoeger, but many of the parts or all but the tube could be "pre". Which is why it doesn't matter....



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Originally Posted by Cruiser1
Owner says it does not have an importer stamp on the barrel and insists it is a pre-garcia rifle? Does it really matter much?
If you're going to shoot it then it doesn't matter at all. If you're a collector then it may matter. They are nice rifles from an age when the bottom line was not the most important consideration.


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Cruiser1 - have 2 SAKO's purchased early and mid-70's. Both are stamped on the barrel, between the forend and muzzle, "imported by Garcia". Both shoot really well so, to me, it doesn't matter if they're pre or post Garcia. Regards, Homesteader

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Sako serial # are a disaster. In my experience a pre-72 (pre-Garcia) Finnbear, which is what I believe you are looking at, will have as stated a 3rd lug at the rear of the bolt, a higher polished blue, generally a lighter stock (your hand can easily encircle the pistol grip) and a lighter barrel (roughly .600" vs. .650" at muzzle) and a fixed sling mount, no swivel and most likely have a Bofors stamp. They will not have an importers mark on the barrel. I do believe their fit and finish is better. They can often shoot very well as can the newer rifles. Value is very dependent on the model, deluxe or standard and obviously condition.

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Handsup,
What I know from pics and correspondence, serial # 85038. Does appear to have the lighter colored stock w/ sling swivels.Standard model. No Bofors stamp(post 1968 lawsuit?) and no importer stamp(unless it is under stock). Wood and bluing looks 90-95%, butt pad maybe 80%. Trying to confirm 3 lug bolt.

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Lighter colored stock with sling swivels??? Sounds like a deluxe grade...those are in the $1500 range right now in new shape.

The third lug would be the kicker for me....those are vintage and beautifully made for the most part.


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I believe a deluxe grade would have a rosewood type forend on the stalk and some engraving on the bottom of the magazine. That should be very easy to determine.

I had a Finnbear L61R that was brand new in the box believe it or not. It also had the peep sight and old syle sako rings. It had bofors steel stamped on it with no importer stamp. The end of the box had 1962 or 1963 written on it, the serial #, and the price. It was brought back from England and it was from an English gun shop . I wish I still had it, but it was too nice to hunt with.

It ought to have bofors steel stamped on it, without a garcia import stamp on it if it's a pre garcia IIRC.

Last edited by JGRaider; 07/15/11.

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Rifles have been brought back to the states from Europe without the import markings. Purchased by GIs.
Hard to prove pre-anything...

g


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Originally Posted by GeoW
Rifles have been brought back to the states from Europe without the import markings. Purchased by GIs.
Hard to prove pre-anything...

g


New with the box? I didn't realize that.


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Not the best pics, but here you go:

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Last edited by Cruiser1; 07/15/11.
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