Sako ‘Classic’

[AP]

Its easy to be confused about various Sako models particularly since they dont engrave the model on the action … so here is a pic from a Stoeger catalogue of a Sako Classic grade: you will note the rounded forend tip and the straight (flat) top of the stock butt.

 

[Rman]

L Series, or Early A series.

Hunter, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Carbine, Fullstock, Handy, Classic, Fiberclass, Safari, Target, Varmint
VIXEN, FORESTER, FINNBEAR, SAFARI, FINNSCOUT

R.

 

[struff55]

sako marketed a classic model in the late 70's early 80'sto mid 80's i owned a few from that time period very nice

 

[boxhitch]

Have also seen their 'classic' offered in a synthetic stock, possibly to do with stock shape

 

[4fifty8]

From 1981 Barotto Sports catalog actions were A1 short, A11 medium & A111 long. Got late 80's next generation Finnbear AV long.

 

[wireone]

Early classic full wrap checkering on forarm later ones were not full wrap.
This is an AV ought six!

 

[wireone]

And an AII 243 "Classic"

 

[AP]

L Series, or Early A series.

Hunter, Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Carbine, Fullstock, Handy, Classic, Fiberclass, Safari, Target, Varmint
VIXEN, FORESTER, FINNBEAR, SAFARI, FINNSCOUT

R.

There was also a Sako Finnsport 2700 … it has a deluxe ‘glass’ polish finish on the metal and oiled stock … the one I saw had blonde wood

 

[guntech]

Back in the late 60's Sako had some models available in Europe that the North American importer was not bringing in. I had a friend who was ordering from a European dealer and he brought in a long action 6mm Remington with a 26 inch barrel in a deluxe stock.

 

[wasrupzuk]

From 1981 Barotto Sports catalog actions were A1 short, A11 medium & A111 long. Got late 80's next generation Finnbear AV long.

Wow, Sako never was cheap…
1981…when a new Chevy pick up or a Pontiac T/A was around $12-13 grand…but the interest rates were hovering around 20%
Makes today’s prices look cheap, lol

 

[tiriaq]

Reminds me... A friend bought a Sako Standard as in the Barotto as above. Installed a Leupold scope. First time he used the rifle he went hunting with a couple of his Inuk friends, chasing wolves. Had the rifle slung on his back. Got bucked off his snowmobile and landed on the rifle. Broke it in half. I repaired the stock, ordered NOS stock from Numrich. Colt monograms from when Colt sold a Sako made rifle. The repair job held, never needed the Colt/Sako stock. He eventually left the North. 20 years after the accident, the rifle walked into my shop. The repair was still good. The replacement stock was still not needed. I acquired it, used it to make up a rifle on a Sako action with Sako take-off .308 barrel. Good rifle.

 

[gordonlbyrne]

Is this a sako classic

 

[AP]

Is this a sako classic

Yes and No … from my review of Sako literature that rifle might be considered a ‘classic’ in that it is an older action and rifle. However it predates the actions that were used in the rifles Sako marketed as ‘Classic’ .. those later rifles which Sako distributors called Classics had the more recently added checkered shroud enclosing the back of the bolt.

Also typically classic style stocks are straighter with much less drop at the heel than the one you have illustrated. Certainly the Sako that they marketed as a ‘Classic’ has less drop than yours.

So while I would regard your rifle as a ‘classic’ … it is not the firearm that Sako marketed as a ‘Classic’

My thoughts.

 

[Rman]

Is this a sako classic

Most likely a “Hunter”… if it is an A or L series rifle.
R.

 

[AP]

Wow, Sako never was cheap…
1981…when a new Chevy pick up or a Pontiac T/A was around $12-13 grand…but the interest rates were hovering around 20%
Makes today’s prices look cheap, lol

Or the current prices of pickups absurd.

 

[Rman]

When it comes to models and configurations:

The only thing certain about Sako, is that nothing is for certain.

R.

 

[gordonlbyrne]

Here are a few more pics of the sako,dose anyone know what the stock marking signifies

 

[AP]

Some Sako catalogues listed many options .. with and without iron sights; single set triggers, and stainless barrels as an example. They also listed their various action lengths (in the white) including single shot actions for target purposes as a rule.

Among their notable attributes are a one piece bolt that provides significant added strength. I believe these are now investment cast, although it is of very high-quality.

I also understand in the earlier years these one piece bolts (and actions) were fully machined from single forged blocks. For several years, they also advertised that their barrels were diamond lapped individually, and that was a factor that contributed to their excellent and readily demonstrated accuracy. No doubt these features required significant manual labor at the time and added to their cost.

In my opinion, their Safari models were among the finest rifles they made - very elegant and certainly not flashy. I also like the shorter full stocked rifles.

One of the excellent features of Sako rifles has been the standing ‘leaf’ ejector ( so called fixed mechanical ejector) that cannot jam, provides positive ejection and can be using in a way that controls the speed of ejection. They were similar in function to the proven style used on the Mauser 98.

I think they are superior to the typical spring loaded plunger style ejectors that many other actions use .. including the newer Sako 90.

Sako also use through bolts (1 or 2) to reinforce their stocks and provide a suitable strong recoil surface on certain calibres. I see this as another indication of their efforts to produce a fully functional hunting rifle.

 

[AP]

Here are a few more pics of the sako,dose anyone know what the stock marking signifies

You also need to go here to ask that question

https://sakocollectors.com/forum/

Thats a nice rifle

 

[guntech]

Or the current prices of pickups absurd.

Back in 1970 you could buy a nice Chevy pick up for $4000 and wages were about $3 per hour at Barotto Sports.