I’ve been told this one might be a “bitsa” gun meaning assembled from other guns. I have no idea. Serial is 78582. Floor plate says 50th anniversary which I know was 7 mm Rem Mag. Notice no checkering on fore end (I like it this way). Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
From what little can be made out from the photos, I'd say you have a put together or "bitsa" gun made from three different eras of Sako rifles spanning a couple decades. The Golden Anniversary floorplate is the obvious "add on" to a standard L61R barreled action in a sporter stock that, I believe, was made much later. Google Sako Golden Anniversary rifle & you will see many pictures of what that rifle made in 1971 really looked like. What is stamped on the barrel? The pic is so small it is illegible.
A pic of the rear part of the bolt would tells us if it has the third "safety" lug or not, but a pic of the front is no different than the many thousands of other L61R bolts. Doniphan is a small village south of Grand Island, Ne. & about a 3 hr drive from me. It only has about 900 people, but is the home of the Nebraska State Trap Shooting Assn. Not sure if Hellston's is still in business as the last I heard anything about them was 5 or 6 years ago. Very nice gun shop specializing in fine European rifles & shotguns. Trap shooting was very big in Nebraska & that state has produced several U.S. & World Champions over the years. Their state meet was huge back in the day & a big revenue generator for Doniphan as well as Hellstons. Anybody's guess as to who put together your rifle, but it should make a fine hunting piece & give you a lifetime of service.
Thanks. There is no rear lug. Just the two front ones. I heard They went to two in 1972 after Garcia took over to save money? Same reason there is no checkering on the dovetail scope mounts? This made me think it really is 1972. Anyway, I like the gun. Thanks for your time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If it has no checkering on the dovetails, the barreled action at least, is from a Model 72 made from 1972 to 1974. It was made along side the regular Sakos as their attempt to compete against lower cost rifles like Rem, Win etc. in the U.S. market. Why & how a floorplate from one of the more expensive & elaborately decorated rifles ended up on a Model 72 will probably remain a mystery.
