We're all aware that many other firearms manufacturers used Sako actions and that quite a few retailers had contractors build rifles on Sako actions that they sold under their own trade names. Browning's Safari series (built in Belgium by FN) might be the most well-known, but there were Sakos from H&R, Marlin, Beretta, Anschutz, Dumoulin, O'brien, Winslow, North America Arms (Canada), Imperial (Canada), and maybe others. "Proprietary" Sakos were sold by Sears and Wards -- plus more recently GO Wholesale and Cabelas. There was also a "King Ranch" model, but I'm not sure how it was distributed. NRA had a Sako as their "gun of the year" once.
More broadly, lots of large American retailers sold their own branded firearms made by many different companies and branded with the name of their sporting goods line. For Sears it was at first J.C. Higgins, then the retired baseball player Ted Williams lent his name to their brand. Sears sold firearms manufactured by Winchester, Marlin, Savage, and possibly more under its brands. With Ward's most of their sporting goods and ammunition were branded "Hiawatha", although their guns were mostly "Western Field. Ward proprietary guns were made by Mossberg and others, including the German company Hyem. J.C. Penney even had a line of sporting goods, and I've seen the name they used but can't recall it at the moment. Not sure if Penney ever sold firearms under their name, however.
Maybe others will know of regional retailers who had their own proprietary brands. Would be interesting to compile a list. Speak up if you own or know of some of these.
More broadly, lots of large American retailers sold their own branded firearms made by many different companies and branded with the name of their sporting goods line. For Sears it was at first J.C. Higgins, then the retired baseball player Ted Williams lent his name to their brand. Sears sold firearms manufactured by Winchester, Marlin, Savage, and possibly more under its brands. With Ward's most of their sporting goods and ammunition were branded "Hiawatha", although their guns were mostly "Western Field. Ward proprietary guns were made by Mossberg and others, including the German company Hyem. J.C. Penney even had a line of sporting goods, and I've seen the name they used but can't recall it at the moment. Not sure if Penney ever sold firearms under their name, however.
Maybe others will know of regional retailers who had their own proprietary brands. Would be interesting to compile a list. Speak up if you own or know of some of these.