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Make: Sako
Model: L61R Finnbear
Serial Number: 91783
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Caliber: .25-06 Remington
Action Type: Bolt Action Rifle with Internal Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “L61R No. 91783 SAKO”. The top of the barrel is marked “SAKO cal. 25-06”. The left side of the barrel near the chamber is marked “FINNBEAR MADE IN FINLAND” with Finnish proof marks. The underside of the barrel is marked “THE GARCIA CORP. WASH. D.C.” The underside of the bolt handle is hand-engraved “783”, matching the last three digits of the receiver serial number.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The rifle is equipped with European-style Leupold STD scope bases. There are no fixed sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece walnut with a deep gloss finish, sharp checkering at the wrist and forend, a Monte Carlo comb with cheekpiece, and a brown ventilated rubber recoil pad. Sling swivel studs are installed at the forend and buttstock. The lacquer shows some light handling marks. There are no chips or cracks. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its original metal finish. Most finish wear is limited to minor handling marks and faint operational wear on the bolt body. The screw heads are sharp. All markings are clear. The rifle is in Excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition for its age.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The bolt locks up securely and cycles smoothly. The trigger is crisp and consistent. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle includes a set of European Leupold-style STD scope bases already installed.
Our Assessment: This Sako L61R Finnbear is a prime example of postwar European bolt-action excellence, chambered in the versatile .25-06 Remington. Built on Sako’s long action and manufactured during the company’s peak quality era, this rifle blends elegant styling with renowned performance. The .25-06 cartridge is prized for flat trajectories, modest recoil, and terminal effectiveness on everything from varmints to mule deer, making it a highly adaptable chambering for the American sportsman.
The “FINNBEAR” rollmark and Garcia Corp. import stamp place this rifle squarely in the desirable early 1970s period—specifically 1972, the only year during that decade when Sako chambered the L61R in .25-06 Remington. Later variants would be introduced in 1979 under the AV/L61R designation. The 24" barrel maximizes velocity potential, while the Monte Carlo walnut stock with cheekpiece reflects the classic European-American fusion design that helped make Sako rifles a symbol of refinement and precision.
In a marketplace increasingly dominated by synthetic stocks and push-feed actions, this rifle—crafted from milled steel and hand-checkered walnut—stands apart as both a shooter’s dream and a collector’s prize. Whether destined for the field or proudly displayed in a fine sporting collection, this Finnbear delivers timeless performance and enduring style.