I was at a friend's house and he brought out a Sako M78 Hornet serial #7189XX. Never having an interest in Hornets, I have never held one to look over. When I flipped it over to look at the right side, there was the Bofors mark on the right side on the barrel. I assumed M78 meant it was introduced in 1978. Have I assumed incorrectly about the date? To be marked Bofors, wouldn't it have been produced before 1969.
I'd say Sako had an old Bofors stamped barrel in the Hornet chambering laying around and stuck it in that action. By that serial number that rifle was made in late 82 or early 83. https://www.sako.fi/sites/default/files/SakoOldmodelsNumbering.pdf