Browning

Question
Dear sir,I own a safari 308 serial # 1832z4 and was wondering when it was made. The gun is as new condition, old man never used it. Does this gun have salt wood and what does that mean. This gun has a pencil barrel, did they make a lot of pencil barrels. This gun says made in Finland,from what date to what date did they do this. This gun is the best handleing gun that I have ever owned. Thank you, Norm.

Answer
Norman,

Your .308 is the Sako action Browning. Between 1959 and 1963 Browning made a Small Ring mauser version and in 1964 switched to the Sako action made in Finland for FN and Browning. Your rifle was made in 1964, making it a first year production for the Sako action. The Z4 tells us it is the Sako action made in 1964. The pencil barrel is the only type made for the .308 Win Sako action. Hope this helps.

Jim