Pre-Garcia Sako L579 Forester Deluxe .243 Winchester Bolt Rifle, 1964 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,702
WOA#: WY240306MK014
Make: Sako
Model: L579 Forester Deluxe
Serial Number: 37420
Year of Manufacture: 1964
Caliber: .243 Winchester
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Hinged Floorplate Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “FORESTER MADE IN FINLAND”, the top is marked with two proof marks and “SAKO / Cal..243”. The left of the receiver is marked “L579 No. 37420” and with two proof/inspection marks. The bottom of the bolt handle is hand-scribed “37420”. The right of the barrel is marked “Bofors Steel”. The floorplate has a “Sakolope” engraving with floral motif on the trigger guard.
Barrel Length: 23?
Sights / Optics: There are no provisions for iron sights. The top of the receiver has integral mounting rails with Leupold rings holding a Burris 3-9x scope with duplex reticle. The scope body has only light handling marks and the glass is clear.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece deluxe skip-line checkered walnut with pistol grip, monte carlo comb with cheekpiece, brown ventilated Sako recoil pad, and sling swivels front and rear. The forend and pistol grip have rosewood caps with tan spacers. The grip cap has an inlay of a tree. The stock has a few light nicks and scratches, the most notable are on the left behind the cheekpiece. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4? from the front of the trigger to the back of the recoil pad. The pad has light wear and remains fairly supple. Overall, the stock is in Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn copper fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. There is a bolt release on the left side of the receiver and a safety on the right side the locks the bolt handle as well as the trigger. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed scope as described and a Galco RS9C leather sling.
Our Assessment: Sako first started making rifles with FN Mauser actions in 1951. By 1961 they had settled on 3 different length actions. The medium action designation, L579, was changed to AII around 1978. This is an L579 Forester chambered for .243 Winchester. It sports a beautiful deluxe stock with sharp skip-line checkering and rosewood caps. The rifle is in Fine-Excellent condition with 98% of its blue finish remaining and minor wear in its stock. The .243 Winchester is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Developed as a versatile short action cartridge to hunt both medium game and small game alike, it “took whitetail hunting by storm” when introduced in 1955, and remains one of the most popular whitetail deer cartridges. This rifle ought to make for a great hunting rifle for the lucky winner and will make a nice addition for a Sako collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
