New to me old Sako

[TheSkyBuster]

Just got this a couple days ago. 

Sako L579 Forester Deluxe in .308 WIN 

Serial # 292xx  I haven't got an exact date yet but it is roughly late 1950's


This Gun is freakin beautiful and I had to share



Here is a bunch of Pictures:











Scope is a 2.5-8 Vari-X III  and the rings are Kesselrings.   
















Anyone here familier with these Rifles?  Where is a good place to find the Date of Manufacture?

I haven't shot it yet but the action is smooth and crisp, the trigger has Zero creep and breaks clean at about 4 lbs
The quality on this old gun is amazing.   

[Huntbear]

Not sure how to find the year.... but am totally jealous.. if I could afford it, ALL my rifles would be Sakos and as old as I could find...

 

[D-Rock425]

I have an older sako in 7mm-08 great shooter.   Nice looking gun you got there. 

[carpsniperg2]

I flatout love sako rifles! I have several and love them all very much. I have a finnbear that is the love of my collection. Was given to my dad from my grandpa and then to me. One of the guns I trust my life to.

[Wacenturion]

Bought my daughter her first gun for her first hunt in 1996 when she was 12.  It was an early Sako Deluxe like yours in a .243.  It was virtually brand new.  Killed a nice Whitetail buck with it....one shot...dead.  Still in the safe.

Early L579 serial numbers are as follows.........

Started 10/29/1960.......10091

 Ended 02/15/1973........118961

In my reference stuff there is one .308 L579 individual serial number that is dated as follows....

.308 caliber L579.......32105.....08/30/1963

Found an L579 in .243 ....19890....10/17/1961

Yours is obviously earlier than the .308 above but later than the .243.  I would venture to guess 1962 is the production year on yours.

Great pickup.  Those are extremely nice weapons if you can find them.  Early Sako's are very well made, too costly by today's standards.  Did you get a good deal on it?

I also have a L579 in .308 except it's not a Deluxe, but rather a Mannlicher, which are very rare.  My favorite Whitetail gun being lightweight and a joy to pack, not to mention accurate.

Congratulations!  Hope the above helps.

[D-Rock425]

How do you find that info?

[Wacenturion]

Buster....The only difference in my Daughter's and your is the design on the floorplate and trigger guard.  The wood on her's is perhaps somewhat blonder, but that could just be the lighting in the photo.  All of the ones I've seen are a very nice light wood hue.  Her .243 plate and guard looks like this (appears to something along the line of an African Antelope)..............

[Wacenturion]

How do you find that info?

Gleaned it off the internet a couple years ago and made copies to put in the safe for reference.  Some from the Sako sight itself....see link below.  It has some old Sako Rifle PDF data as well as other downloads....manuals etc.  If I remember right some of the other information (individual serial number dates) may have come from Sako Collector sites, or something similar.  Hope that helps.

http://www.sako.fi/downloads.php

[Wacenturion]

All this stimulated my curiosity so I looked at my Daughter's serial number and mine, as it's been awhile since I dated them.

Her Sako Deluxe .243....16XXX (1960)

My L579 .308 Mannlicher.....36XXX  (1964)

[Wacenturion]

Here's a couple photos of a early L579 .308 Mannlicher like mine.

[TheSkyBuster]

Wacenturion, Thanks for the Info on the dates, I had hit a couple dead ends trying to find it online, 

This rifle has been in the family since it was new, my Great Uncle bought it new and my father bought it from him,  I was kinda hoping for a hand me down some day but I ended up buying it on short notice from my dad,  I think he got a wild hair and decided he was going to sell it to fund a vacation.    So I payed less than its worth But I still have to sell a gun or 2 to build my "Emergency Gun Buying Fund" back up.

[TheSkyBuster]

Here's a couple photos of a early L579 .308 Mannlicher like mine.

Is that called a Forester as well?  the full stock model or does it have a different name? 

[TheSkyBuster]

Here is an old photo of the original owner of the rifle.  This was taken before he bought the gun in the mid 1950's near Glacier.   I'm not sure what aunty is holding in this picture.

[Wacenturion]

Wacenturion, Thanks for the Info on the dates, I had hit a couple dead ends trying to find it online, 

This rifle has been in the family since it was new, my Great Uncle bought it new and my father bought it from him,  I was kinda hoping for a hand me down some day but I ended up buying it on short notice from my dad,  I think he got a wild hair and decided he was going to sell it to fund a vacation.    So I payed less than its worth But I still have to sell a gun or 2 to build my "Emergency Gun Buying Fund" back up.

I know how that goes...lol.  My gun funds barely start to get built up and I find something else to deplete them with.

It's nice that the gun has some history, being in the family and all.  Makes it somewhat more special.

[TheSkyBuster]

Yeah definitely,  there will always be room in my safe for this one.  I might even take it deer hunting this year. 

[Wacenturion]

Here's a couple photos of a early L579 .308 Mannlicher like mine.

Is that called a Forester as well?  the full stock model or does it have a different name?

The L579 was referred to as the Forester....all calibers with further differentiation by Deluxe, Mannlicher, standard(?) model terminology.  Forester were built in 22-250. .243, .308 and 7mm-08 only.

L461 Vixens were also caliber specific.  They were built in the smaller calibers such as .17, .222, .223, 6mm PPC, .22 PPC.

Last but not least the L61 R Finnbear in the larger calibers.....6.5x55, .270, 30-06, 25-06, .300, 7MM Mag etc.

[Wacenturion]

Here is an old photo of the original owner of the rifle.  This was taken before he bought the gun in the mid 1950's near Glacier.   I'm not sure what aunty is holding in this picture.

Great old picture.  Thanks for posting it.  Its always great to see the good old days, especially when it's family!

[carpsniperg2]

Ok this is making me day dream! I love the sako's Here is me and my trusty Blondie finnbear in 300wm. Mine is the deluxe like yours wac with the ibex and engravings on the floorplate and trigger guard. God I love that gun! I always try to find a hunt to take it on each year. It means a lot to me and I had a hard time taking to NZ the first trip. I told my dad I was going to shoot a stag with it one day and I kept my word. I shot my spring bear last year and this year with that rifle. It has been many places with me. Everytime I pick it up I feel so warm because of all the memories it has with me and my father.

[carpsniperg2]

Also love that old picture!!!

[TheSkyBuster]

Carpsniper-

Looks like that rifle has seen some good hunts,  if only they could talk.         Nice pictures. 

[Wacenturion]

Carp....wow, great pictures.  My Daughter's Deluxe has bipods on it also.  Thought I was looking at hers for a moment...lol.

Have to say it again....boy those pictures are awesome!

[carpsniperg2]

Here is a super cool golden anniversary sako. It has been on gb for a long time. I watch all the older sako's on there at least once a week. I plan on adding another to my collection one of these years.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=291886989

Sky- it sure has. It has taken 5 bears/1 stag/1 elk/1 fallow/2 boar/ to many deer to count at least 20. So many wonderful memories. I hope to hand it down someday when I have kids.

Thanks wac- glad to see some others that are passionate about the sako's like I am.

[carpsniperg2]

My friend bought a finnwolf the other day that had less then a box of shells threw it. It's in 243! He got a killer deal on it and I almost slapped him for robbing the guy. He paid the guy what he asked for it, but dang! I offered him 1k cash and he said no dirty dog! Most of the times when he finds a new or old sako he calls me. Not this time

[Wacenturion]

I just finished another rifle quest a couple weeks ago.  Wanted to find a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle or 700 Classic in .257 Roberts.  The Classic being on a long action.  Not sure on the Mountain.  Well first I find a really mint Remington 722 in .257 Roberts with a short action.  Price was too good to pass on. 

Then within a week I find a Classic unfired in the box for a somewhat premium price, but below what I've seen some used go for.  Fortunately the guy offered a layaway.  Three days later I find another 97% Classic in .257 for a great price.  Again layaway as my secret gun funds were already depleted down to a subterranean level.  However enough to cover the two layaways.  Fast forward 60 days and have both in hand.

Now I have to scope them.  Fortunately I have a new in box 3x9x40 Trijicon in the safe.  Thats' going on one of them (the unfired one).  Not sure what I'll put on the other.  I like Nikon's and old Burris made in the USA types.

Moral of story.....now, because of this thread, I'm back to thinking I should find another nice Sako....lol  Thanks a lot Buster.

[carpsniperg2]

I have 3 windows open now hw-gun broker-guns america You guys got my bug going again There goes my scopee money I have built a couple more ar-15's that are sitting naked without a scope in the safe. I guess they will just have to wait

[Wacenturion]

Carp....that 50th anniversary is really nice.  Saw one advertized a few years back.  Absolutely beautiful.   

I know this is becoming a plastic/synthetic world out there in the field, but nothing will ever replace a nicely stocked, well made rifle or shotgun with attention to detail as far as I'm concerned.  Guess I'm just too old school.   

[carpsniperg2]

I feel the same way as you. Nothing built better and more solid then the old sako's. I still love the modern sako's as well, still great guns! I bought a a7 last year in 270wsm. Was on close out from 950.00 to 750.00 with my discounts I picked it up for 670.00. I shot 6 animals with it last year, the thing drives tacks. It is also super light weight mine with a 6.5-20 on it comes in right at a hair over 7lbs.

I missed one last year that was a sako finnbear deluxe, twin to mine. It sold on gb for right at 800 in great shape! I have some many calibers right now it is hard to pick one out to look for. Heck with a 270wsm sako and my 300 finnbear. I really don't need any others

[TheSkyBuster]

I really don't need any others

No one really "NEEDS" more than 1 or 2 rifles.   A few years ago I limited myself to one new gun per calander year.  That was going good until this year,  The Forester is my 4th gun since December.         Good thing I'm still single.    

[carpsniperg2]

  that is true but ain't easy to admit when you are a addict 

[Wacenturion]

Carp....did the same thing you did last night, surfing the internet looking at older Sako's and researching some things I was unaware of.

I think Buster is a bad influence on us.

[carpsniperg2]

Amen to that! Maybe we should ban him, I mean if he is going to be that hard on our wallets No I am very glad to see the love for these great rifles. I have been wanting another one for awhile and been shipping out some stuff I don't use anymore. I am kinda in the boat market so if I pull the trigger on a big river boat then I might have to wait awhile I just have a hard time picking a cartridge because I have so many that are so close or the same already.

[Wacenturion]

Agree....hard to decide on another cartridge.  Currently I'm set up to begin reloading the following.

 28 gauge
 12 gauge
 9MM
.45 ACP
.243
.257 Roberts
.270
 30-30
.308
 30-06
.300 WM
.300 Rem Ultra Mag (for a good friend)
.270 WSM
.325 WSM


Hey Carp....guess what....seems a I could use a 7MM Rem Mag....wonder what I could find in that caliber...something "Golden" maybe.  Why did you show me that, darn you!!!

[carpsniperg2]

  I have just spent the last half hr looking at sako's The Blondie's are my fave in the finnbears. They are just so sexy with the rosewood tip and light color. I have been looking at the 270's and 375hh. Don't really need any more 270's I have 3 wins and 2 wsm's Have always liked the old 375 HH, might just have to add another Blondie to the safe!

Oh that golden would be sweet

[nwwanderer]

Check out the Sako collectors forum.  Those folks have everything Sako.  I have a few too.

[Wacenturion]

Check out the Sako collectors forum.  Those folks have everything Sako.  I have a few too.

That's funny....I joined last night.

[TheSkyBuster]

Amen to that! Maybe we should ban him, I mean if he is going to be that hard on our wallets

Hey I never been to Banned Camp whats it like?

I joined Sako Collecters on Thursday.   

[Alchase]

Here is a super cool golden anniversary sako. It has been on gb for a long time. I watch all the older sako's on there at least once a week. I plan on adding another to my collection one of these years.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=291886989

Sky- it sure has. It has taken 5 bears/1 stag/1 elk/1 fallow/2 boar/ to many deer to count at least 20. So many wonderful memories. I hope to hand it down someday when I have kids.

Thanks wac- glad to see some others that are passionate about the sako's like I am.

That is a work of art!

I love Sako's, my Finlight in 300 win mag (I know not wood  ) is my go to gun. Incredible gun with the best trigger of all my rifles.

[hunterofelk]

The older Sakos are Mausers built to higher quality standards.  In my world, the rifles built by craftsmen, not computers, have souls.  The first one hole group I saw was from a Sako in .243.  It belong to an older gentleman who let me shoot a group through it.  Very solid rifle, but out of my price range.   At that time,I had a Sears Parker-Hale that I paid about $225 for.  I would enjoy owning a Sako, Belgian Browning or a pre-64 Winchester, but now I am at that practical thinking age.