Sako Model Finnbear Sporter L61R (Pre-Garcia), Blue 24 1/2 Bolt Action Rifle, Sling & Redfield Scope MFD 1969
SOLD FOR: $1,632.00
LSB#: 160622EM12
Make: Sako
Model: Finnbear Sporter
Serial Number: 38477
Year of Manufacture: 1969 http://thehunterslife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14777
Caliber: 7mm Remington Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action with Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “L61R No. 38477” and with 2 proofs. The left side of the barrel is marked with two proofs and “FINNBEAR MADE IN FINLAND”. The top of the barrel’s chamber is marked “SAKO / 7MM REM. MAG.”. The underside of the bolt handle is scribed with “477”.
Barrel Length: The barrel is 24 ½” in length.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded post dovetailed into a finely checkered ramped base fixed to the barrel. There are no provisions for a rear iron sight. The top of the receiver is grooved for scope mounts and has a Redfield 3X-9X adjustable power scope mounted. The eyepiece is oblong for a wide angle view and the reticle is a fine crosshairs. The lenses are clear and free of distortion. The power ring turns freely. There are two tiny dings through the finish on the left side of the objective. The rings are starting to develop a plum colored patina from age. The scope is in about Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The aftermarket stock is a one piece high gloss finished fancy walnut with a Monte Carlo comb, cheekpiece and pistol grip. The buttstock has a black vented rubber recoil pad with white and black spacers marked “Pachmayr”. The grip has a rosewood grip cap with a white spacer, and has a gold plated diamond inlet into its bottom surface. The diamond is engraved in old English script with the letters “F / J / M”. The forend has a rosewood tip with white spacer. There are a few light marks and two drag lines in the cheekpiece and a few light marks in the underside of the forend from contact with the Chicago screws on the sling. There are also a few light marks below the port opening on the right side of the forend. The LOP measures 14 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The pad is still pliable and shows negligible wear. The pad is in Excellent condition. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition as well.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued. The receiver is starting to turn plum colored with age.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are three tiny dings a light scratch in the top of the barrel just in front of the forend tip. There are also a few light marks in the magazine floorplate. The tang screws are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Near Mint condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a sliding safety mounted on the right rear of the receiver. We did not fire this rifle.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a one-piece carrying sling tooled with a basketweave pattern, and the attached scope. At the shoulder position, the sling is lined with a second piece of leather, with rough side out to eliminate slipping when it is on your shoulder. The stitching is done with white thread. The sling shows only a very few light marks, but there is verdigris built up on the Chicago screws used to fasten the ends together and adjust the overall length of the sling. The sling is in Fine to Excellent condition.
Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1946, and finally settled on 3 different length actions that changed designations over the years. The L61R long action was introduced in 1961 and was replaced in 1978 by the AIII. This rifle is a vintage pre-Garcia L61R Finnbear in 7mm Rem. Mag. The pre-1972 rifles , made before Garcia started importing them are prized for their quality and craftsmanship. The rifle is in about Near Mint condition with about 99% of its original finish remaining. It shows only a few marks in the metal and stock, and the stock has a beautiful marbled grain, so please see our pictures. The rifle comes with a Redfield adjustable power scope and a basketweave patterned carrying sling. Normally, we would extoll the virtues of the 7mm Mag. cartridge, and what a flat shooting caliber it was, perfect for long range shots on elk and bighorn sheep. Also, Sako rifles are known for their out-of-the-box accuracy. However, in the very nice condition that this rifle is in, we think the collectors are going to be very interested. Pre-Garcia rifles in nice condition are almost always find themselves priced beyond the reach of the shooters.
