Sako history

Established in 1921, Sako has a varied and eventful history. First created to build and service firearms for the Civil Guard in Finland, the company played a key role in Finland’s struggle for survival during the storms of the WWII. Later the company grew through focusing on production excellence, honouring its dedicated crafsmen and personnel, and providing innovative solutions to shooters’ emerging needs.

For decades Sako has developed world-class military, target and hunting rifles, as well as cartridges. By integrating its knowledge of both the rifle and cartridge production, Sako brand can offer a shooter the unique advantages of uncompromising accuracy and reliability. Alongside Beretta and its unique firearms traditions that reach all the way to the year 1526, Sako looks ahead more confidently than ever. We proudly carry on the rifle manufacturing knowledge and skills, with the utmost respect towards the surrounding nature.

1919

The White Guard's general staff's weapons factory established

1921

Separate company established in Helsinki (1.4.1921 = birthday)

1927

Company relocated to Riihimäki in December

1929

Manufacturing of ammunition begins, first assembly of the "Pystykorva" rifle

1932

Manufacturing of rifle barrels begins

1938

Manufacturing of rifle stocks begins

1939-1944

Material production, among other things, 275 mil. machine gun rounds for the Finnish Defence Forces

1945

Finnish Red Cross is the new owner; emergency goods production

1962

New owner: Suomen Kaapelitehdas Oy

1967

New owner: Oy Nokia Ab

1983

Oy Sako-Tikka Ab (29.9.1983) > Nokia Oy also acquired Tikkakoski Oy's plant

1986

Name changes; Nokia Koneteollisuus Sako factories & Tikkakoski factories

1987

Sako-Valmet Oy > New ownership: 1.1.1987 Valmet Oy and Nokia Oy (50%/50%)

1989

Name changes; Sako Oy Riihimäki factory, Tikkakoski factory & Tourula factory (Jyväskylä)

1989

Production at Tikkakoski is terminated 31.3.1989, Tikka-production is transferred to Riihimäki

1989

Sako Defencetec Oy established; Sako acquires Hackman Oy's cartridge factory in Leppävirta
- Jyväskylä's Tourula factory's ammunition production and Leppävirta's cartridge production are combined

1993

Assault rifle production is concentrated in Riihimäki, Tourula continues to manufacture ammunition

1994

Sako acquires a majority stake in Stoeger Inc, which operates in the USA and Canada

1995

Sako Defencetec Oy's entire ammunition production line was sold to Vammas Oy on 5.5.1995
- Sako concentrates its hunting and sporting guns production to the Riihimäki factory, including assault rifles and ammunition

1997

Gradual scaling down of assault rifle production is commenced at the beginning of the year

1997

Thanks to the success of Sako 75 rifle offering, older Sako rifle offerings are withdrawn from production

1997

Sako's new cartridge loading plant is inaugurated in Hausjärvi in the spring of 1997

1999

Nokia Oy sales its shares, Valmet Oy has 100% ownership
- Valmet Oy and Rauma Oy merge, the new company is Metso Oyj

2000

Metso Oyj sells 100% of shares to the Italian Beretta Holding B.V. (3.1.2000)

2001

Beretta Holding invests in the Riihimäki factory and begins construction of a 2000 m² factory expansion in the spring

2002

New/renewed premises launched in the summer of 2002

2002

Branch company established in Stockholm, Sweden, official launch 1.10.2002

2003

Joint company project between Sako and Italian MdS begins; manufacturing of walnut stocks is transferred to Italy

2005

Sako manufactures record 70,000 rifles

2006

Sako celebrates its 85 anniversary by launching a hunting rifle family, Sako 85

2006-2010

The company make major investments in production machinery

2011

Sako 90th anniversary, Sako 85 anniversary Safari rifle serie, 10 + 90 pcs

2011

Sako introduced a new sniper rifle Sako TRG M10

2013

Sako reached a new record; over 100.000 rifles were produced

2015

The Tikka T3x was launched. The previous years’ records were broken: 106,738 rifles were produced

2016

Sako Oy is a very successful company operating internationally, and the only company in the world to manufacture both rifles and rifle cartridges at the same location.

2018

The old firearm factory reconditioning project completed. The Tikka T1x Rimfire was launched.

2019

Sako made a new record: 110 140 rifles were produced

2020

We reached a historic milestone as the Millionth Tikka T3 / T3x rifle was manufactured on 10th of March. This is the largest production volume for a single model ever manufactured at our rifle factory. Not many rifles in the world have been sold in such volumes.

Sako made a new record: over 113,000 rifles were produced

The Sako S20 was launched being the first true hybrid rifle both hunters and precision shooters can embrace.

Sako developed and launched the new lead-free Sako Powerhead Blade bullet to meet the needs of the most demanding lead-free hunters.

2021

Sako is moving to its second century as a highly competent weapons manufacturer with a long-term focus and a solid grip of its times.