This rifle was made in the 'pre-Garcia' date range. The mid length action (L57, L579R) for 243, 308, etc is called a Forrester and the short action (L46, L461, L49) for the 222 Rem, 223 Rem., etc. The name Finnbear refers to the 30-06 length rifles. I cannot pin down exactly as I just have a general run of numbers for the L61R from 1962 until 1973, which was serial number 90,xxx. The 31,267 serial number puts the manufacture of the L61 R rifle at about 1965 time frame. (The L61 refers to the year 1961 for the design.) Before that time they made very nice rifles on FN made Mauser actions for that length cartridge. I know a little about SAKO rifles, having owned a few and studied several more.The L61 R was their first 30-06 length action and began about 1962.
