This from the Sako Collector's News, December, 1982
Pre-72 Model Sako Rifles - How to Identifv.
This is the most requested information received 'from collectors. It is probably the hardest question to answer also. In discussing this issue, first if the rifle is marked L-57 or L-479 it ls definitely a pre-72 model. The early L-42 models and L-46 models are labeled on the side of the receiver where the model usually is stamped as "Riihimaki''. These are the early Vixen short action rifles and preceded the model L-461. So the only models we are concerned with in 1972 are the L-461, L-579 and L-61.
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Serial numbers can be used as a guideline but are not a sure bet because we have several pre-72 receivers with pre-72 serial numbers, that had post-72 bolts and barrels. Sorne of these have 1973 inspection dates as well as dates in 1972.
If the barrel of the rifle is stamped "Bofors Steel" on the right hand side, it is a pre-72--unless sorneone has changed the barrel. Sako used the Bofors steel for barrels into 1974 but discontinued stamping the name on the barrel in 1967.
Serial numbers that can be used as a guide for the model change are:
as follows:
L-46I Vixen short action 100,000
L-579 Forester Medium action 100,000
L-61 Finnbear Long action 60,000
There will be many numbers above this listing that will be pre-72 models but numbers above this range should be inspected to be sure.
Also as mentioned above, aIl numbers below this range do not have to be pre-72 models. As an example we have a .25-O6 Deluxe rifle new in the box with all papers #42xxx which was made in 1973. It has a pre-72 receiver but the bolt, barrel, and stock are 1973 items.
The other changes that are easily detected on casual inspection are as follows:
1. The post-72 rifles had much thinner blue than the older ones. This was corected somewhat with the Model Super 74 but is not like the older deep dark b1ue.
2. On the top of the dove tailed scope bases and on top of the bolt sleeve--the rnetal checkerlng has a much finer pattern than on the pre-72 rnodels.
3.The post-72 models had a small round pin extending out from the left side of the bolt sleeve.
This has been dropped in later models. If the bolt has this pin, It is not at pre-'72 rnodel.
4. This item pertains to the L-6I Finnbear long actlon only. The pre-72 rifles had three locking lugs. Two are on front of the bo1t and the thiid one is on bolt about 1/2" forward of the bolt handle. This thlrd lug was dropped from the post -72 models .
5. Some of the later models have a rnuch. higher Monte Carlo stock than the pre-72 models. The current models have a shroud over the firing pin cocking piece and they have a cocking indicator. All this is dlfferent from the pre-72 models.
A Lot of this informatlon is probabty very confusing to the new collector but as lndicated before, each piece rnust be inspected to be sure all parts are pre-72 parts. During transltion periods of model changes, rifle parts were mlxed in the flnal. product. Also we find sorne changes made by different owners which changes the vintage of the rifle and also the value of same.
Pre-72 Model Sako Rifles - How to Identifv.
This is the most requested information received 'from collectors. It is probably the hardest question to answer also. In discussing this issue, first if the rifle is marked L-57 or L-479 it ls definitely a pre-72 model. The early L-42 models and L-46 models are labeled on the side of the receiver where the model usually is stamped as "Riihimaki''. These are the early Vixen short action rifles and preceded the model L-461. So the only models we are concerned with in 1972 are the L-461, L-579 and L-61.
.
Serial numbers can be used as a guideline but are not a sure bet because we have several pre-72 receivers with pre-72 serial numbers, that had post-72 bolts and barrels. Sorne of these have 1973 inspection dates as well as dates in 1972.
If the barrel of the rifle is stamped "Bofors Steel" on the right hand side, it is a pre-72--unless sorneone has changed the barrel. Sako used the Bofors steel for barrels into 1974 but discontinued stamping the name on the barrel in 1967.
Serial numbers that can be used as a guide for the model change are:
as follows:
L-46I Vixen short action 100,000
L-579 Forester Medium action 100,000
L-61 Finnbear Long action 60,000
There will be many numbers above this listing that will be pre-72 models but numbers above this range should be inspected to be sure.
Also as mentioned above, aIl numbers below this range do not have to be pre-72 models. As an example we have a .25-O6 Deluxe rifle new in the box with all papers #42xxx which was made in 1973. It has a pre-72 receiver but the bolt, barrel, and stock are 1973 items.
The other changes that are easily detected on casual inspection are as follows:
1. The post-72 rifles had much thinner blue than the older ones. This was corected somewhat with the Model Super 74 but is not like the older deep dark b1ue.
2. On the top of the dove tailed scope bases and on top of the bolt sleeve--the rnetal checkerlng has a much finer pattern than on the pre-72 rnodels.
3.The post-72 models had a small round pin extending out from the left side of the bolt sleeve.
This has been dropped in later models. If the bolt has this pin, It is not at pre-'72 rnodel.
4. This item pertains to the L-6I Finnbear long actlon only. The pre-72 rifles had three locking lugs. Two are on front of the bo1t and the thiid one is on bolt about 1/2" forward of the bolt handle. This thlrd lug was dropped from the post -72 models .
5. Some of the later models have a rnuch. higher Monte Carlo stock than the pre-72 models. The current models have a shroud over the firing pin cocking piece and they have a cocking indicator. All this is dlfferent from the pre-72 models.
A Lot of this informatlon is probabty very confusing to the new collector but as lndicated before, each piece rnust be inspected to be sure all parts are pre-72 parts. During transltion periods of model changes, rifle parts were mlxed in the flnal. product. Also we find sorne changes made by different owners which changes the vintage of the rifle and also the value of same.