Finnbear L61R 375h&h

[Mario Simon]

I recently inherited a l61r in 375 h&h that was purchased new by my grandfather in 1977. I'll never sell the thing, but I'd like to learn more about it.

I'm aware that there are the Standard, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, and Mannlicher variants, but I don't know the differences between each one. I'd really appreciate any info as to which one do I have and what it might be worth these days.

Serial is 15237xx


Thanks everyone in advance for the knowledge

 

[stonecreek]

You have an L61R Deluxe sporter, commonly known as the "Finnbear". The scope mounts are factory Sako mounts that are contemporaneous with the rifle. The high, sharp Monte Carlo cheekpiece on the buttstock was somewhat unique to the very late L61R and the AIII which followed it around 1978.

The barrel will measure 24.4", and the internal magazine holds four magnum rounds. It probably hasn't been fired in a while, so BE SURE prior to shooting it that you check to make sure that the front action screw is fully (very) tight, and that the rear action screw is fully snug. Otherwise, especially with a hard-kicking caliber like the .375, the stock can be cracked at the tang.

It has a somewhat uncommon 7-digit serial number starting with "1" which Sako used for a very short time and for unknown reasons. Prior (beginning around 1973) and subsequent L61R models used a 6-digit number starting with "5" -- however, none of the serial numbers were used in chronological order, so it is often impossible to make anything more than general approximation of when a Sako was built by its serial number alone.