20" sporter original?

[pcunder]

Guys,

Is there any way to tell if a mid-60s L579 with a 20" Bofors barrel is original?
I'm not versed well enough in the carbines to even know if SAKO ever made 20" sporters. I know they did make them with full wood at 20".

It's in a sporter stock that's been refinished and (pics of) the bluing look original.
I was surprised to see that the crown treatment looks factory Sako. I'm pretty sure duplicating this crown would not be that difficult, but the bluing appears to match the rest of the barrel...

If it was a manni that was just restocked, it'd have a front site on it, right?

Any/all comments are welcome. I'd love to have this rifle but it a bit pricey and the refinished stock, though tastefully re-done the way in like 'em in oil, already devalues it somewhat.

Phil

 

[topgear]

If it was a manni that was just restocked, it'd have a front site on it, right?

Yes it would or it should.

They did make a rifle in the 1980's called a "Sako Handy" with a short barrel and sporter stock but I'm not aware of one made in the mid 1960's. But that doesn't mean there wasn't.

 

[paulsonconstruction]

If it's a L579 from the 1960s the barrel has been cut, unless it's a restocked Mannlincher with the sight removed.

 

[pcunder]

Darn it!,,, that's what I thought. So it's just a nice, expensive shooter. I've already got plenty of those.
If it shot 1-hole @ 100, I'd consider it, but he said nickel sized groups.

Thanks for the help. It's listed for $1300 on GB. About $3-400 too high in its altered condition.