Pre-Garcia Sako Finnbear L61R 7mm Remington Mag 24.5″ Bolt Action Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
LSB#: WY240823JH002
Make: Sako
Model: Finnbear L61R
Serial Number: 23929
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1963
Caliber: 7mm Remington Magnum
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Hinged Floorplate Internal Magazine
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “FINNBEAR” and “MADE IN FINLAND”. The top of the barrel is marked “SAKO / 7MM REM. MAG.” along with two finnish proof marks. The left side of the receiver is marked “L61R”, “No. 23929” and with the same two proof marks. The right side of the barrel is marked “Bofors Steel” between two arrows. The bottom of the bolt handle is hand scribed “23929”.
Barrel Length: 24 1/2”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a hooded, checkered, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. No rear sight is installed or included. The chamber ring and bridge are cut for mounting optics with two-piece bases and rings holding a Redfield 6x scope with crosshair reticle. The scope body has minor wear and the glass is fairly clear, but could use a good cleaning.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered wood with pistol grip, Monte Carlo comb with cheek-piece, brown ventilated Sako recoil pad and sling swivels front and rear. The stock has a few scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14” from the front of the trigger’s installed wide, serrated shoe to the recoil pad. The pad shows moderate-heavy wear and crushing. The stock rates in Very Good-plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the edges of the grooves toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is minor operational wear and there is light wear on the bolt knob. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Fine-plus overall 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, and Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed scope and Bianchi leather sling.
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 then later changed to the AV. This rifle is a pre-Garcia L61R Finnbear produced ca. 1962 and chambered for 7mm Remington Magnum. There are some manufacturers that come around every once in a while and stun with their build quality, Sako has always carried that distinction. This one has survived well with minimal wear, strong mechanics, and a nice bore. If you’re looking for a new hunting rifle or addition to a Sako collection, you can’t do much better than this. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
