Finnwolf VL63 New to VL63 - Feedback on this welcome

[Dave Cory]

Hello All,
I was able to acquire my first Finnwolf and wondered what these photos may convey to some of the experts...? This gun looks used but not abused... Some of the questions I have are;

• The age based on four digit serial # starting with 4? The number on the bolt matches / no import stamp under the barrel.
• Three holes in the back base mount? Factory drilled? I have heard some came with three and some two?
• Front Sight and hood factory?
• Ramp Sight says Williams on the side?
• 
• 

Thanks Collectors!

 

[icebear]

The front sight and hood look like factory to me. I've never seen a Williams sight on a Finnwolf (the ones I've seen with sights have had European style ladder sights), but Sako used a lot of Williams sights on the A-series bolt guns and might well have equipped some Finnwolfs with them as well. As for the three holes, I've heard the same but I don't know for sure. I'd guess the extra hole is for some kind of aperture rear sight, but that's a guess. I seem to recall having seen a photo of a Finnwolf with such a sight.

The Finnwolf is typically extremely accurate, quite possibly the most accurate lever action ever made. Internally, it's a bolt-action rifle with a monkey-motion linkage by which the lever operates the bolt. Unfortunately, the action has a reputation for fragility, and is very difficult to work on. It's said to be almost impossible for anybody but Merlin the Magician to put one back together. If one ever requires work, it is imperative to find a gunsmith who has specific experience with the Finnwolf. I had one many years ago, which typically shot around 3/4" groups at 100 yards. I never had the least trouble with it, but I sold it to a friend and something in the action let go the very first time he took it to the range. It took him several months to get it fixed, and the bill was not trivial.

 

[cl_leg]

the holes in the top of the receiver are for the factory dovetails for the sako rings. there is a weaver set as mine came with. i too have never seen a williams rear sight. my 308 shots incredibly well!

 

[icebear]

there is a weaver set as mine came with.

The hole pattern on the Finnwolf is the same as on the Winchester Model 88, a lever gun similar in appearance to a Finnwolf. So, the Weaver, Redfield, Leupold, etc. bases for the Model 88 will also fit a Finnwolf, making it relatively easy to fit a scope to a Finnwolf even if original Sako bases cannot be found.

This leaves open the question of the third hole at the rear of some Finnwolfs. As mentioned in my previous post, I think that may be for an aperture sight.