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. 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, 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. 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.
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.