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LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK DEATH FROM AFAR, VOL. I BY CHANDLER
LOT 368
Extremely Rare Documented Gulf War
U.S. Barrett M82A1 Semi- Automatic .50 BMG Sniper
Rifle, One
of the First
100 Rifles
Delivered to
the U.S. Marine
Corps for Use in
Operation Desert Storm - Serial no. 1046, 50 BMG cal., 29 inch fluted bbl., parkerized finish, metal stock, synthetic grips. Developed in the early 1980s, the M82 series of weapons has been adopted by a number of military forces, where its long range striking power makes it useful
for disabling vehicles, detonating enemy ordnance, and sniping at ranges well beyond a conventional rifle. This impressive weapon has the standard Barrett Manufacturing Inc. markings on the left side of the magazine well, with the addition of “U.S.” directly below the patent marking. Fitted with a “SLAP” marked fluted barrel with Barrett chevron muzzle brake, ventilated steel chassis, folding hooded blade front sight, carry handle, scope base, flip up rear peep sight, AR style fire controls and checkered grip, and solid rubber recoil pad. This rifle is listed on page
23 in Norman Chandler’s “Death from Afar, Vol. 1” as one of the first 100 Barrett M82A1A sniper rifles delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps during Operation Desert Shield, which was the buildup of troops and defense. Operation Desert Storm was the combat phase. The original SLAP (Saboted Light Armor Penetrator) barrel is dated “1/91”. Reportedly, the first 100 Barrett’s were sent straight from the factory to Saudi Arabia to be distributed to combat elements, with this one likely being in-theater for the main thrust. The scope rail is a mid-90s military adjustment, noted with a two-piece welded base and a one piece top picatinny rail. The rail is
topped with a Unertl USMC 50CAL 10x scope. Includes a Starlight hard case, cleaning kit, three extra magazines, black nylon sling, a SIMRAD KN203 night vision scope with rubberized case, and original certificate of authenticity. Today only about 35 of these scarce and collectible rifles are known to be in private collections, as the rest were given to foreign allies, police departments, museums, or the shredder.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% original parkerized finish with scattered dings and scratches, light scuffs, and some light surface oxidation. Mechanically excellent. Case is very fine. Scope is very fine with some handling marks, clear optics, and a crisp reticle. Night vision untested. A very scarce opportunity to own a U.S.M.C. 50 cal Barrett sniper rifle, documented as one of the first 100 rifles delivered to the Marines for use in Operation Desert Storm.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000 293