On January 1, 1982, when a last minute cancellation left Ramo Manufacturing and Boston Whaler needing a photographer for a patrol boat advertisement, a young Ronnie G. Barrett of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, not only captured a winning shot, but inspiration as well from the two M2 .50 BMG machine guns on it. Barrett envisioned a semi-automatic rifle chambered for the .50 caliber cartridge that was also able to be shoulder fired, and set about creating his own design without any prior engineering experience. Working with machinist Don Mitchell, Barrett managed to create a functional prototype of his conceptual rifle in his garage by 1982, called the Model 82, and after tweaking the design to improve reliability was brought to the commercial market by 1983. Despite the high asking price ($5,895 in 1990), the M82 proved popular and eventually garnered the attention of the U.S. military, filling the role of sniper rifle and anti material rifle as the M82A1 and later M107 series. Unlike the well-known later versions of the design, the early production M82 rifles, such as this example, were simpler in layout, featuring no iron sight provisions, a round profile 33 inch barrel with small two port muzzle brake, unventilated steel receiver, folding bipod fixed to the forend, straight profile charging handle, short section of raised Picatinny rail welded to the top of the receiver, A1 pattern pistol grip, solid sheet steel butt, and solid rubber recoil pad. The left side of the magazine well is marked with the Barrett address, caliber, model, serial number "0221", and "PAT. PEND.". Fitted with a L&S Inc. 10x-M1 scope. Includes two extra magazines.

Excellent overall, retaining 90% plus original matte grey finish with scattered minor freckling and spotting, minor edge wear on the muzzle brake, and otherwise limited handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Scope is also excellent with minor handling marks, clear optics, and crisp reticle. Early production Barrett M82 rifles are seldom encountered on the collector's market today, with this example being the first that Rock Island Auction Co. has had the opportunity to offer.