While the progression of Sako importers here to the US is pretty straightforward and well known, I've always been curious about the 'whys' and to a lesser extent, the 'whens' of the changeovers. We have a knowledgable group here, and perhaps some interesting stuff can be uncovered. My knowledge of importers to the rest of the world is about zero, but feel free to add what any might know - maybe DW Custer to Aus, for example.
In the US, it went Firearms International, Garcia, Stoeger, to the now owner/importer Beretta.
Most of what I know (or think I know) is centered around the early FI period and is provided by Layne Simpson in his 2 part article in Rifle Magazine (#s 100 & 101 - 1985). Seems to be very well researched, He lists Russ Moure' - FI engineer and designer, Mims Reed of Sako Collectors Association, Jon Sundra, and M Vanninen of Sako as sources. Great article that goes all the way back to Sako's beginning as a repair shop for captured Rusky MN rifles in Helsinki as early as 1919. Some really great history through the period before Sako was in a position to take their fine rifle craftsmanship to the world.
FI's affiliation with Sako began sort of tentatively in 1946, but picked up steam rapidly. A different world then I guess, as negotiatations were directly between Jan Winter, FI founder and Colonel Elias Hyden, Sako's then new managing director. The mfg/import relationship lasted around 25 years, and must have been good for both sides. I think it's fair to say that FI provided a large and hungry market for Sako at a critical time. Think it would also be accurate to say that FI had a considerable influence on the finished (no pun intended) product. Some give and take here, but FI did eventually win out on most items they felt were important to US riflemen - blued metalwork, walnut stocks, machined triggerguards, delete barrel band, sights, and so forth.
In reflecting on the above mentioned article, I wonder if it isn't told with Russ Moure side of it weighing more heavily. It pretty clearly depicts FI as the savior of a then financially struggling Sako. Credit is given to Moure for quite a few design changes and innovations - split ringmounts, L-57 with the then-new extractor and trigger, HB stock design, Monte Carlo stock, and other. Perhaps this is how it all went down, but it might be worthwhile to see if there's another view from the other side of the pond...
What really interests me is what caused Sako to change importers after such a long relationship with FI? I have no clue if it's true, but have heard that FI was purchased by Garcia... Anyone have any ideas about what happened and why? I believe that Col. Hayden's long tenure at Sako's helm ended about the same time and don't know if that might have been a factor or not.
The changeover from FI to Garcia and from Garcia to Stoeger seem pretty muddy. It did make for some interesting 'transition' weapons though. Beretta-et-all's purchase is a little different cat, I guess. I know so little about Sako after about 1970 that I'll leave that to others to comment on...
Thanks for your time, and hope we get some good responses.
Dick
In the US, it went Firearms International, Garcia, Stoeger, to the now owner/importer Beretta.
Most of what I know (or think I know) is centered around the early FI period and is provided by Layne Simpson in his 2 part article in Rifle Magazine (#s 100 & 101 - 1985). Seems to be very well researched, He lists Russ Moure' - FI engineer and designer, Mims Reed of Sako Collectors Association, Jon Sundra, and M Vanninen of Sako as sources. Great article that goes all the way back to Sako's beginning as a repair shop for captured Rusky MN rifles in Helsinki as early as 1919. Some really great history through the period before Sako was in a position to take their fine rifle craftsmanship to the world.
FI's affiliation with Sako began sort of tentatively in 1946, but picked up steam rapidly. A different world then I guess, as negotiatations were directly between Jan Winter, FI founder and Colonel Elias Hyden, Sako's then new managing director. The mfg/import relationship lasted around 25 years, and must have been good for both sides. I think it's fair to say that FI provided a large and hungry market for Sako at a critical time. Think it would also be accurate to say that FI had a considerable influence on the finished (no pun intended) product. Some give and take here, but FI did eventually win out on most items they felt were important to US riflemen - blued metalwork, walnut stocks, machined triggerguards, delete barrel band, sights, and so forth.
In reflecting on the above mentioned article, I wonder if it isn't told with Russ Moure side of it weighing more heavily. It pretty clearly depicts FI as the savior of a then financially struggling Sako. Credit is given to Moure for quite a few design changes and innovations - split ringmounts, L-57 with the then-new extractor and trigger, HB stock design, Monte Carlo stock, and other. Perhaps this is how it all went down, but it might be worthwhile to see if there's another view from the other side of the pond...
What really interests me is what caused Sako to change importers after such a long relationship with FI? I have no clue if it's true, but have heard that FI was purchased by Garcia... Anyone have any ideas about what happened and why? I believe that Col. Hayden's long tenure at Sako's helm ended about the same time and don't know if that might have been a factor or not.
The changeover from FI to Garcia and from Garcia to Stoeger seem pretty muddy. It did make for some interesting 'transition' weapons though. Beretta-et-all's purchase is a little different cat, I guess. I know so little about Sako after about 1970 that I'll leave that to others to comment on...
Thanks for your time, and hope we get some good responses.
Dick