Scarce Finnish Valmet M82 5.56 16.5” Barrel Semi-Auto Bullpup Rifle, 1980s
SOLD FOR: $2,025.00
LSB#: LSB260706WT029
Make: Valtion metallitehtaat, Finland
Model: M82
Serial Number: 161734
Year of Manufacture: 1982-1986 / Modern
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Long Stroke Gas Piston Operated Rifle, Fed By Detachable Magazines.
Markings: The front of the rear sight base is marked, “VALMET MADE IN FINLAND / 161734”. The front of the rear sight base is marked, “M82 / Cal. 5.56mm(.223)”. The front sight base has an import mark.
Barrel Length: 16.5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an elevation adjustable post set into an offset barrel mounted base. The rear sight is a windage adjustable peep with protective wings set into an offset base.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a single piece black coated polymer with a checkered forend, checkered pistol grip, cheekpiece, sling loop, and serrated butt. There are scratches, nicks, and some small chips. There are cracks forming at the butt on either side along the rear of the receiver. The checkering is mostly sharp. The LOP is 15.5” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the butt. Overall the stock rates in Fair + condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are light handling marks throughout. The metal surfaces have spots of dried grease throughout. The action has light wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Nylon sling.
Our Assessment: The Valmet M82 is one of the most unusual Finnish military-pattern rifles ever offered commercially. Developed as a bullpup adaptation of the proven Valmet M76/Rk.76 action, the M82 was intended to give Finnish airborne troops a compact rifle without sacrificing barrel length. The Finnish military did not adopt the design, but Valmet subsequently produced a small commercial run, primarily in 5.56mm/.223 for export to the United States. Approximately 2,000 commercial examples were made from about 1982 through 1986, making the M82 one of the scarcer Valmet variants. Its rearward action, offset sights, one-piece polymer shell, and compact 16.5″ barrel configuration give it a highly distinctive appearance and place it among the more interesting early bullpup conversions of the Kalashnikov family. This rifle remains in Good condition overall, retaining approximately 98% of its original metal finish. The exterior metal shows only light handling wear and scattered dried grease, while the action exhibits light operational wear and the markings remain clear. The one-piece black stock shell shows scratches, nicks, small chips, and, most importantly, cracks developing at the rear on both sides near the receiver. Those cracks materially reduce the furniture condition to Fair Plus even though the metal remains much stronger. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, rating 9.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. Mechanically, the action functions correctly.
For collectors of Valmet rifles, Finnish military-pattern arms, and early bullpup designs, the M82 has substantial appeal because of its rarity and unusual development history. The commercial 5.56mm version represents a short-lived attempt to repackage the proven Valmet action into a radically different format, and surviving examples are far less common than conventional M62, M71, or M76 rifles. The excellent metal finish and strong bore are major positives, while the cracked stock shell is the principal condition concern. Even with that defect, this remains a scarce and highly recognizable example of Valmet’s experimental bullpup period. -R.E.