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Can you give me info on my AIII

Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum

gjb89

Member
Hello,
I inherited this rifle when my grandfather passed away. My dad thinks he remembers him buying it from a soldier who was coming from a duty station in Europe.
Any idea what year?
Was it a bring home or imported?
What would this model have been called if I bought it at a store?
Any idea why the last 3 of the serial number would be engraved on the bolt?

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Hello,
I inherited this rifle when my grandfather passed away. My dad thinks he remembers him buying it from a soldier who was coming from a duty station in Europe.
Any idea what year?
Was it a bring home or imported?
What would this model have been called if I bought it at a store?
Any idea why the last 3 of the serial number would be engraved on the bolt?

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Based on my information, your gun most likely was manufactured in 1979 or 1980. AIII started in 1978. If the bottom of barrel does not have Stoger Hackensack NJ lighty engraved, probably a bring back . I brought 3 back in 1971when in AF. Your gun is known as an AIII (A3) today, yesterday and tomorrow. Last three digits of serial number proves the bolt belongs to your specific rifle and is not a mismatch
 
Based on my information, your gun most likely was manufactured in 1979 or 1980. AIII started in 1978. If the bottom of barrel does not have Stoger Hackensack NJ lighty engraved, probably a bring back . I brought 3 back in 1971when in AF. Your gun is known as an AIII (A3) today, yesterday and tomorrow. Last three digits of serial number proves the bolt belongs to your specific rifle and is not a mismatch

Thank for the info Tomball! I figured the bolt engraving had something todo with the bring back process.
 
The A-III rifle (a "long" action and successor to the L61R action) was also called the "Finnbear". I'm not sure if that name is engraved anywhere on the rifle, but it would have been printed on the end label of the box. Internally, Sako continued to refer to the A-III as "L61R".

I see your rifle is equipped with a rear open sight. If this is factory and not added then it is a strong indicator that the rifle was originally made for the European market.
 
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