Martini Cadet
The Martini Cadet is a centrefire single-shot cadet rifle produced in the United Kingdom by BSA and W.W. Greener for the use of Australian military Cadets.[1] Although considered a miniature version of the Martini–Henry, the internal mechanism was redesigned by Auguste Francotte to permit removal from the receiver as a single unit. Chambered for the .310 Cadet cartridge (aka: .310 Greener), it was used from 1891 to 1955. They were also sold to the public thereafter, as the BSA No.4, 4a, 4b and 5 in other calibres like the .297/230 and .22 rimfire. The rifles will often chamber the similarly sized .32-20 Winchester and fire with some accuracy.[2] However the 32/20 is actually 0.312 cal and the 310 is 0.323 cal. Due to this 10 thousandths difference the accuracy of a .32/20 round cannot be guaranteed.[3]
| Martini-Cadet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Cadet training rifle |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1891-1955 |
| Used by | United Kingdom & Australia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | RSAF Enfield |
| Designed | 1891 |
| Manufacturer | BSA and W.W. Greener |
| Produced | 1891-c.1949 |
| No. built | approx. 83,000- |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6 lb 5 oz (unloaded) |
| Length | 42in (1250mm) |
| Cartridge | .310 Cadet |
| Calibre | .310 Cadet |
| Action | Martini Falling Block/Francotte action |
| Rate of fire | 10 rounds/minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300 yd (270 m) |
| Feed system | Single shot |
| Sights | Sliding ramp rear sights, Fixed-post front sights |
After being sold by the Australian government many were converted to sporting or target rifles, often re-barrelled to calibres like .22 Hornet, .218 Bee, .25-20 Winchester, .222 Rimmed, .357 Magnum and others to .22 rimfire by gun makers like Sportco.[4]
References
- .Digger History
- Martini Gallery
- Cartridges of The World by Frank C. Barnes
- Rifleman UK