Page 461 - 4092-BOOK2-FLIPBOOK

LOT 1547
Rare French Military Prototype Haenel RS8 Bolt Action
Sniper Rifle with Case - Serial no. VO01000, 308 Win cal., 23 inch round bbl., black finish, metal stock, rubber grips.
Offered here is something you won’t see every day, or possibly ever again. Manufactured in 2010 as a collaboration between Haenel and French
gunsmith Oliver Chevasson to replace the iconic FRF2 sniper rifle. Per consignor statements this was the first of three prototypes of that project
retained by Mr. Chevasson and later sold privately; it is believed to be the only example on the commercial market. The barrel is fitted with a muzzle brake
which doubles as a quick detach suppressor host, folding front sight, thermal sleeve around the fluted heavy barrel, and a top mounted bipod which was specially designed for the
rifle. The fluted action is fitted with a quick detach scope mount and marked with the serial number on the left side. Mounted in an aluminum chassis system marked “HAENEL RS8” on
both sides with folding stock with adjustable comb and length of pull, Hogue pistol grip, and detachable magazine. Ultimately the ill-fated project would be scrapped after the French decided to adopt a semi-automatic platform in the SCAR H 20. Includes a generic hard case.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% original black finish with some minor handling marks, wear on the thermal sleeve and high edges. The chassis is excellent with a couple chips in the finish, scuffed bipod feet, and wear on the cheek piece. Mechanically excellent. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add this to
your sniper rifle collection!
Estimate: 8,000 - 14,000
LOT 1548
Scarce Early Production Barrett Firearms Mfg. Co. Model 82 .50 BMG Semi-Automatic
Sniper Rifle, Serial Number “0221”, with Scope and Bipod - Serial no. 0221, 50 BMG cal.,
33 inch round bbl., matte grey finish, metal stock. 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.
CONDITION: 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.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000 459