Browning Sako .222
Question
I'm looking at a Browning Sako .222 varmint rifle that is on consognment at a local shop. It's serial number 684YA and I'm
trying to find out anything I can about it, especiall what year it was made. I've read the horror stories about the salted stocks from 1965 to 1972. I also would like to know if that particular model actually used the Sako L46 or L461 action and Borfors steel, hand forged barrel. It has some stock scratches but the bluing is decent. The shop is asking $875.00 for it but I think its negotiabal.
Thankyou in advance
Gary
Answer
Hello Gary.
First, I would like to say that I cannot evaluate a firearm without inspecting it. I have seen only a few on firearms sales and auction sites during my research. These were new or like new, with no rust from ' salt-cured ' wood ( you can check for this by removing the stock or butt-plate ). If there is rust, the collectors price would be from 15-40% less. This wood curing process was used from 1966-1971. They were priced from $1,200 to $ 2,500.This does not mean, however, that they will sell for these prices. I was not able to find any serial numbers ending with two letters as your 684YA. They are all listed as numerals only, i.e. ( 12345 ), numerals between letters ( 12AG345 ), letter first ( L12345 ), or letter last( 12345L ).
If the writing from the rifle is Browning Sako cal. .222, it would be either the FN High Power Sako manufactured from 1960-1974, or the FN High Power Safari Short-action manufactured from 1963-1974. The L46 and the later L461 were manufactured between 1946 and 1958 and known as the ' Vixen '. It was manufactured by Bofors Works in Sweden for Sako only and not Browning.
I have given you information that I gleaned from over thirty sources ( many of which were contradictory ). Here is a source you might want to check out. It deals with the history of the Sako rifle. gunsandammo.com/content/sako50-year-rifle-accuracy. Unless you are particularly interested in a .222 Remington caliber firearm, I would suggest a rifle in .223 Remington, since ammunition is more readily available.
I hope this helps answer your questions and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage
OLD shot gun
Stevens 12 ga. single barrel shotgun