Hello,
I recently acquired an "as new" (still has orange swivel protection disc), L61R Finnbear Mannlicher in 7mm Mag. As a long time researcher and modest collector of Sako rifles I have yet to encounter or heard of one like this, at least in the U.S. This rifle, in all characteristics, is the same as the Mannlichers in long action first imported to the U.S. by Garcia around 1971. For those who might not know, the Mannlicher Sako's up until the take over of F.I. by Garcia were only available in short and medium actions. (L461, L579). The Garcia import long action Mannlicher's were only around for about 2 years max. Anyway, this one has beautiful grain wood with the burnt orange color associated with the Model 72's. Checkered top scope bases, not smooth, curved not straight bolt handle, two lug bolt with two lug receiver, not three lug. Receiver has the slight plum hew and all the metal is high gloss polish. front sight is sweat-on not screw-on. So here is what I think makes this unique, at least in the U.S.: The SN is 76XXX and there is no import stamp. I have a model 72 Finnbear with SN 72XXX, Made in 1973. The SN puts it somewhere in the mid to possibly late '70's. I think the powers that be here know this, but for those who may not, it shows that Sako continued to produce the same rifles that were simply not imported based on what Garcia thought was best for the U.S. market. which at the time was the Model 72 and then Model 74 Super. In closing, this is the highest serial number L61R Mannlicher I have ever seen or heard of. Probably a military bring-back, but still nice to see something I think is unique.
Carl
I recently acquired an "as new" (still has orange swivel protection disc), L61R Finnbear Mannlicher in 7mm Mag. As a long time researcher and modest collector of Sako rifles I have yet to encounter or heard of one like this, at least in the U.S. This rifle, in all characteristics, is the same as the Mannlichers in long action first imported to the U.S. by Garcia around 1971. For those who might not know, the Mannlicher Sako's up until the take over of F.I. by Garcia were only available in short and medium actions. (L461, L579). The Garcia import long action Mannlicher's were only around for about 2 years max. Anyway, this one has beautiful grain wood with the burnt orange color associated with the Model 72's. Checkered top scope bases, not smooth, curved not straight bolt handle, two lug bolt with two lug receiver, not three lug. Receiver has the slight plum hew and all the metal is high gloss polish. front sight is sweat-on not screw-on. So here is what I think makes this unique, at least in the U.S.: The SN is 76XXX and there is no import stamp. I have a model 72 Finnbear with SN 72XXX, Made in 1973. The SN puts it somewhere in the mid to possibly late '70's. I think the powers that be here know this, but for those who may not, it shows that Sako continued to produce the same rifles that were simply not imported based on what Garcia thought was best for the U.S. market. which at the time was the Model 72 and then Model 74 Super. In closing, this is the highest serial number L61R Mannlicher I have ever seen or heard of. Probably a military bring-back, but still nice to see something I think is unique.
Carl
