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Hello - please help identify

Sako Collectors Club Discussion Forum

Hello from SE PA. I'm looking for more information on the model of this 30-06 rifle. Marked on the barrel is "Sako" and its serial number. On top of the barrel is 30-06 and the right side is "Made in Finland". There is no model number anywhere - at least that I can see. On the left side of the action is printed "Action made in Belgium" but it isn't etched and doesn't show well in the pictures. The bolt is etched with the same serial number and has a rear lug.
The rifle was purchased used in 1970 or '71 in the US from (I believe) the original owner in its original configuration.
Any help in determining the model of this rifle and any further info on it would be great to hear. Thanks.
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Your rifle is a Sako High Power, or what some call a Sako Mauser, made during the 1950's before Sako made their long action L61R. It was built on an FN Mauser (Belgium) action by Sako with a Sako barrel & stock. The early ones had the Mauser wing safety on the bolt. The later ones had the Sako #4 trigger with it's integral safety button on the rear right side of the stock. Your's has had the butt plate replaced with a recoil pad. All the ones I've seen had serial numbers in the 100,000's, so I think they started numbering them at 100,000. Sako didn't make rifles in sequential order, but if it is within the range the club has records for, you can request information about it by clicking on Factory Records Service in the upper left of this page. Edit: Just checked and it doesn't appear we have data for the High Powers. If it has the Sako #4 trigger it was made after 1958 & before the L61R was introduced. Sako did make a few after the L61R, but I know of no way to confirm a specific date.
 
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Thanks for the quick reply. From your description, I do have the #4 trigger. The chart on Sako's site has the L61R starting Jan '62 - so '58 to '61 is close enough for me for a build date.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. From your description, I do have the #4 trigger. The chart on Sako's site has the L61R starting Jan '62 - so '58 to '61 is close enough for me for a build date.
Actually the #4 trigger didn't appear until the L579 was introduced in 1959. Take the chart on Sako's site with a grain of salt. IIRC, the factory records we have show the L61R appearing in 1961, but others may be more certain of that.
 
While the Club doesn't have inspection records for the Sako-Mausers, we do have shipping records for them. However, those records are not in serial number order like the inspection records, so it takes more time and work to find a particular Sako-Mauser. If anyone would like the records for their Sako-Mauser they can get just the shipping record (shows when and to whom the rifle was shipped) for a $20 contribution.

By the way, the first L61R's were shipped in mid-1961; the last of the Sako-Mausers were shipped around 1963 or 1964 as Sako apparently had some FN actions still on hand and continued to make a few of them even after the L61R supplanted the FN action.
 
Thx Stonecreek for the info. I was able to find an old post elsewhere regarding a very similar rifle (serial number a little higher than mine) and the owner was given an original ship date of Dec 1958.
I'd like to take you up on your record search for my rifle - looking at your services should I just order a Level 2 in order to provide the $20 and provide the relevant details in the order? Or for this Sako-Mauser record search should we handle the transaction in another fashion?
 
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