L579 Deluxe 243

[HJJ243]

Hello all,

I would just like to thank the SCC Factory Records service for providing some more information on my Sako Deluxe L579 in 243. It was inspected on the 14/03/1969 and shipped on the 18/03/1969 in a single order to Herra Risto Aalto ( I think this is correct as it is hard to read the cursive writing). It is interesting that the rifles before and after it were inspected in 1966, and the rifles shipped in other orders at the time were in the 78XXX.

My father told me this rifle was given to his father (my Papa) when he returned to Finland from Australia on a holiday in 1969-1970. It was given to my Papa by his Cousin who worked at the Sako factory at the time.

I have some Sako factory ammunition that I was told was purchased at the same time as the rifle, as per the photo attached the ammo has the load data sheet with it.

Thankyou HJJ243

 

[deersako]

Cool story about the history of your rifle Hjj243.

Nice to have a heirloom like that, and it looks to have been well looked after.

 

[stonecreek]

It was given to my Papa by his Cousin who worked at the Sako factory at the time.

Do you know the name of the cousin? Since this was a "shipment" of a single rifle (somewhat unusual in the records) it may have been a sale to an employee and the difficult-to-read name of Herra Risto Aalto (sp?) may be the name of the Sako employee/cousin. Do you have any older relatives you could ask about this? Anyway, great provenance on your beautiful Sako.

We've found a few single rifle shipments booked to what appear to be the names of individuals or places like "American Embassy". Those to embassies are assumed to be gifts to foreign dignitaries, many of which are recorded in the Sako 50th Anniversary book. Among Americans receiving presentations were Vice-President (at the time) Lyndon B. Johnson and the three Apollo 11 astronauts.

 

[deergoose]

Nice rifle ! and with the Sako-cool rear site as well. You done good. 1969, huh? Is the barrel marked "Bofors Steel"? If not, I would have lost money had I bet that your rifle had the stamping, as that serial number is more than early enough. Could be another slight Sako anomaly that the reciever sat in stock for a couple of years before they decided the build the rifle....then they grabbed a non-Bofors stamped barrel, assembled it, inspected it, and then shipped it.

receiving presentations were Vice-President (at the time) Lyndon B. Johnson and the three Apollo 11 astronauts.

I've always been interested in "famous" Sakos. We all know that Lee Marvin and Hank Williams Jr. had Sako rifles in their collections. Years ago, I almost bought a Finnbear deluxe once owned by Bocephus. LOL

DeerGoose

 

[HJJ243]

Do you know the name of the cousin? Since this was a "shipment" of a single rifle (somewhat unusual in the records) it may have been a sale to an employee and the difficult-to-read name of Herra Risto Aalto (sp?) may be the name of the Sako employee/cousin. Do you have any older relatives you could ask about this? Anyway, great provenance on your beautiful Sako.

We've found a few single rifle shipments booked to what appear to be the names of individuals or places like "American Embassy". Those to embassies are assumed to be gifts to foreign dignitaries, many of which are recorded in the Sako 50th Anniversary book. Among Americans receiving presentations were Vice-President (at the time) Lyndon B. Johnson and the three Apollo 11 astronauts.

Hi Stonecreek, I have asked my father what the relatives name was but his memory is not what it used to be. When I see my aunties next i will see if they can remember.

This is the name on the shipping records.

Regards HJ

 

[HJJ243]

Nice rifle ! and with the Sako-cool rear site as well. You done good. 1969, huh? Is the barrel marked "Bofors Steel"? If not, I would have lost money had I bet that your rifle had the stamping, as that serial number is more than early enough. Could be another slight Sako anomaly that the reciever sat in stock for a couple of years before they decided the build the rifle....then they grabbed a non-Bofors stamped barrel, assembled it, inspected it, and then shipped it.


I've always been interested in "famous" Sakos. We all know that Lee Marvin and Hank Williams Jr. had Sako rifles in their collections. Years ago, I almost bought a Finnbear deluxe once owned by Bocephus. LOL

DeerGoose

Hi Deergoose, How do I tell if it is a Bofors Steel barrel? Also from what I have read, the steel in the barrels did not change it was just they stopped stamping them after a certain date, is this correct?

Cheers HJ

 

[icebear]

Herra Risto Aalto is a typical Finnish name. Herra is the equivalent of "Mr." in English, by way of the German Herr, and possibly the equivalent in Swedish (quite likely, but I can't say as I don't speak Swedish). Aalto would be a correct spelling; the surname is the same as the famous Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto.

 

[HJJ243]

Herra Risto Aalto is a typical Finnish name. Herra is the equivalent of "Mr." in English, by way of the German Herr, and possibly the equivalent in Swedish (quite likely, but I can't say as I don't speak Swedish). Aalto would be a correct spelling; the surname is the same as the famous Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto.

Thankyou for letting me know this Icebear.

 

[icebear]

Thankyou for letting me know this Icebear.

Glad to be of help.