Sako "Look-Alike" (pictures added)
I have recently purchased an interesting rifle in .30/06 that looks almost exactly like a Sako L61R. I can find one reference to it in de Haas' "Bolt Action Rifles" book where he indicates that The American Import Company of San Francisco brought it in from Japan and that it was made by Howa. It is marked "Dickson-Howa Golden Bear". It has the pecular shaped cheek piece like Sako, the trade mark dove tail topped receiver, and the front sight w/hood as Sako (there is no rear sight nor provisions for one!). I have a "Coltsman" rifle which was built on the Sako action and the two rifles are very much alike. The Coltsman receiver is marked "L61R" while the Japan rifle receiver is unmarked. Differences include the bolt stop housing and the bottom metal made of an alloy rather than the steel of the Sako. My question is: anybody know anything about this rifle? It seems like a lot of trouble and expense to make a copy of the Sako (including that rather "fussy" trigger). Could Sako have been furnishing parts--rejects, perhaps? Any ideas? This rifle certainly has what I call the OOU factor. (Old, odd, or unusual).
There, now we can see all of the pictures. NN
There, now we can see all of the pictures. NN
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I have heard of a Dickson Golden Bear but the Howa part is new to me. 0 -
Ambrose,
We constantly encourage members to take and post sharp, properly lit photographs to help us help you with your questions. This is most assuredly a very good example of a need for pictures. There is a 'Sticky' above these threads titled: "Posting Photographs" if you need some assistance with the process.
Best.0 -
if you google Dickson golden bear rifle you will pull up quite alot about it. I remembered I had an old mag with an article so I looked it up. It says it is a copy of the Sako Finnbear that was being imported by Dickson. At that time Howa was making alot of the parts for Sako and decided to just make a rifle. Sako filed suit and it was discontinued 0 -
I remember seeing them in stores in those days.
I don't see anything odd about a Japanese copy of a successful Occidental product, they used to do a lot of that.
For that matter, Howa is STILL building rifles that look a lot like 1960s Sakos. Sako has moved on through two or three later models, but Howa still keeps cranking out the original design.0 -
Sako marketed a peep sight for the rifle you mention. It fits on the rear dove tail. I don't know if they are still manufactured. I see them show up on the internet auctions occasionally. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Herschel
Sako marketed a peep sight for the rifle you mention. It fits on the rear dove tail. I don't know if they are still manufactured. I see them show up on the internet auctions occasionally.
I saw one of those sights last week, it's in a parts box either at a friends or my attic.0 -
IIRC didn't Mossberg market a Sako made bolt action too? 0 -
Nope.
Mossberg marketed a Howa lookalike of a Sako, just as Dickson, S&W, and Weatherby have.0
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