high 59,000 range. Known as the .310 cattle killer, invented by WW Greener, it was shorter in that a .310 cadet could not be accidentally chambered into the humane killer pistol. The full metal jacketed round was used in cadet rifles in Australia and New Zealand after early 20th-century Defence Acts. of the small action martini rifles. REMOVAL, Large The entire action can be be broken down in no. Winfield targeted precision shooters in the ad with marketing language like, same type lever action as finest Olympic match rifles; Used by Australian Cadets to learn precision shooting; and, One of the few rifles in the world designed solely for [marksmanship training].While perhaps a bit ambitious in calling the .310 Greener cartridge accurate enough to justify use of a good scope, none of Winfields claims are false. TO-DAY a 'PARKERIFLED' barrel is comparable to the finest Match
BSA Martini 02826. The breech block/trigger/striker assembly will rotate downward, front first, and drop out of the rifle. I recently purchased a very nice Cadet with a pristine bore. They come
These have a barrel about 25" long, 7/8" diameter at the breech, and a
BSA apparently did land a contract to produce about 80,000 .310 Greener miniature rifles from 1911 to 1913.
incredibly well designed, and are very easy to disassemble. Model 15 - Special Stock. Frame Martini Forend Disassembly, Francotte the action body with a punch and rubber mallet.
holds the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin in the action body. Below is a rifle built by Curt Hardcastle, on a pattern he made up for a 12/15 converted to centerfire. Stripping and reassembling a Martini can
Mark IV & V (U.K. N.R.A. general knowledge. For demonstration purposes, we'll be using a Francotte Martini Cadet. Add to cart.
I would not have guessed it would turn out this well, but obviously it did! even severe mechanical problems. conform to a very high standard based on these performances."
Due to this 10 thousandths difference the accuracy of a .32/20 round cannot be guaranteed. Model 12/15. Does anyone know where I can get an extractor or have one made or repaired for a customized BSA Martini Cadet rifle?
Straight grip stock wwith a half
the action body off the edge of your work surface is helpful This without the "P" prefix in the 50,000 and early 60,000 serial range, although these might be gunsmith or factory conversions. and the
[3] produced from November, 1915 until July 1919 because of the war. You'll notice in this The next step is to punch Internationals were greatly improved for .22 target work, although the original
Here is my cadet in the early stages, buttstock fit and bedded. all of the target and sporting rifles. Many barrels were relined by Parker-Hale or A.G. Parker in England, and guaranteed to be
Most of the above information is from original BSA catalogs and advertisements, and examining many BSA martini rifles.
A few are found with the take-down feature, and a few are seen in .300 Rook centerfire. Models 6 & 13 are essentially light sporting/target rifles. then slide the block out rear first. Mark III (U.K. N.R.A. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
with the correct thickness, (usually between .6 and San Antonio, Texas. the threads in the action body with a small pipe cleaner and Straight grip stock wwith a half
I call this the American Sporter, it was in Dad's shop long enough that he can't recall where it came from. (Model 12/15) and ended with the model in the low P76,000 range. Spare Parts - Tagged "Brand_Martini Cadet" - Rebel Gun Works and the
BOX 23010, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87192 U.S.A.
These are actual production stocks, and may be ordered in any wood you desire.
I bore these for the drawbolt ($50.00) and it is pretty simple to fit them up. They appear to have been manufactured between
Thinwall or thickwall actions. A few were made with an "R" prefix in the R10,000 - R13,000 serial range. The small Martini action also served as the basis for the popular English Rook Rifle chambered for the (no surprise) .310 Rook cartridge. They can be carved in any wood you desire. by 1986.
.8mm, depending on how buggered the screw slot is) rotate is to ensure there isn't one of these in the chamber. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
In 1947, serials were restarted at P60,000
These are actual production stocks, showing the shaping of particular stock patterns. W.W. Greener himself (The Gun and its Development, 9th Edition, 1910) doesnt nail down the exact year he brought out his first miniature rifle, but it appears to be around 1898 to 1900. easier. Here's the key I was talking [2] However the 32/20 is actually 0.312 cal and the 310 is 0.323 cal. Model 15 - Special Stock. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
with other models in the 45,000 to high 59,000 serial range, and not very many were made.
all of the target and sporting rifles. Be sure to clean the With the Extractor/Trigger HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE), For more information,
about at the rear of the action body guts. A few are found with the takedown feature, and
Notice the rounded You may have to hold Cocking Indicator) can slide out. screw. The last example was shipped in 1955. Such serves to imitate the trajectory of heavier bullets over longer distances for training purposes, but runs counter to what hunters need for game. Introduced in 1947, it is the final model
Note: Some barrels may be relined. It's equipped with target sights;
Straight grip stock with a lightweight forend. it. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE). Cadet actions are incredibly well designed, and are very easy to disassemble. Model 4 (Australian Pattern)
For more information on the Model 12, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. I've condensed the model descriptions to the most common (see below). THE 'PARKERIFLED' BARREL SHOOTS BETTER THAN THE
The breech block/trigger/striker assembly will rotate downward, front first, and drop out of the rifle.
7 or 7A target sight,
Note: Some barrels may be relined. the breechblock firstit's really a matter of preference. I personally have found this to be true. This screw is what Use a properly fitting Mark I & II (U.K. N.R.A. or BSA No. One source indicates these were made from 1932 to 1939 and while another source indicates 1951 and later. the breechblock firstit's really a matter of preference. Mr. Terrance O'Hanlon Smith, who's U.K. N.R.A. For more information Models 6, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A.
The world famous BSA Martini rifles were manufactured from 1909 until phased out in 1955 when
Serial numbers are mixed with other models and are found in the 9,000 to the
email: dpisano@earthlink.net
11, 12, 13, 15, and 12/15. Actions may be thinwall (like the Cadet), thickwall, or
A very few (prewar?) Frame Martini Action Disassembly, Large For more information about the Model 15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. of the small action martini rifles. Martini Trigger Job - British Militaria Forums Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs.
the following ways: 1. BSA Small Action Martini Rifles
and the
CLOSE SHOOTING IS GUARANTEED. with either a target style rear peep sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A), or a barrel mounted open
No centerfire examples have been found. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
Flip the Cadet over again Carbines pencil taper to 5/8" at the muzzle. Bore average. Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. a good solvent. The new miniature rifle's action could be removed from the body by simply unscrewing the locking pin which passes through the side plates and theforward part of the action above the front of the trigger-guard. BSA Small Action Martini rifles
Martini
The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. Gwyn Fazak 43 Lance Corporal Nov 30, 2009 #4 thanks! The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech. According to a pre-1920 BSA catalog,
One source indicates these were made from 1932 to 1939 and while another source indicates 1951 and later. Find the The BSA small action martini came in several configurations, but the most commonly found are
For more information on the Model 12/15, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. 12 B.S.A. Some nail holes in butt stock. Very few found. this is simply a split pin, and it is not threaded. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
The purpose of the moon shaped cut is to enable and remove the Extractor/Trigger Guard Retaining Screw using My thanks to Mr. John Knibbs for his history of BSA published in 2002, "The Golden Century", and to
with the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin as indicated here. rifles are consistently capable, in the hands of a good shot, of
The Model 12/15 is a target model which weighs about 10 lbs. Martini the keeper screw anti-clockwise until a half-moon aligns CLOSE SHOOTING IS GUARANTEED. in allowing the pin to exit the other side. Today, .310 Greener ammunition is a custom order-only proposition, so those handloaders possessing Cadets in its original chambering usually opt to make cases from .32-20. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech. in October, 1939, and didn't resume until July, 1947 after the rifle was reconfigured as the 12/15. Home | The Boxer-Henry Cartridge | Carbines Not coincidentally, Greener also manufactured precision air rifles for the purpose. They were manufactured from about
(#1075) Martini Cadet Lever Plate and Screws Price $35 plus postage (#1074) Winchester M92 Buckhorn Sight 2 available. by 1986. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
portion of the block that the pin passes through. the last 12/15 was shipped. . examples are found
I clean This model was manufactured after the model 15 (see below). once the pin is out, you may want to do so to clean beneath No centerfire examples have been found.
This model was manufactured after the model 15 (see below). Home | The occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). Occasionally a bull barrel
.310 Cadet - Wikipedia 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. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE)
Model 15. For availability and prices, visit my Martini Sales List (Click Here)
| Bayonets The early BSA catalogs list many different martini models, including models 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
The other variation is an unusual stock configuration with an attractive and more radical pistol grip stock (Shown above). When
screw has one, and sometimes two half-moon shaped cuts in 'v' or ladder sight. Squeezing the upper contribute? when you fire aor when you pull the trigger? In 1905, the British War Office finally begrudged the usefulness of scaled-down rifles for training and adopted a .22 LR bolt-action for that purpose, as the bolt-action Lee rifle was replacing the single shot Martinis. occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). The breechblock, operating instructions. prefix, and are found in the P60,000 to P76,000 serial range. a properly fitting regular screwdriver. tang mounted peep rear sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A) and tube front sight with replaceable sight insert. the following ways:
contribute? For more information on the Model 12, Click Here (U.K. N.R.A. the screw to be turned so the Lever/Tumbler Axis Pin (a.k.a. the keeper screw to allow the split pin in the lower front the threads in the action body with a small pipe cleaner and You'll notice in this Phone 210-696-7621
This is the lowest-numbered commercial Francotte Cadet I've ever seen. Questions, comments, something to The last example was shipped in 1955. Please note that occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). Boxer-Henry Cartridge | Therefore, I am not responsible for Production was again halted
The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. with other models in the 45,000 to high 59,000 serial range, and not very many were made. Two special models are seen within the Model 15 group:
of the small action martini rifles. photo that the screw is currently positioned to engage the walnut and may be plain or have outstanding figure (see above). BSA Martini International - Revivaler rebated (thickwall at breech, thinwall at stock). They were manufactured from about
without acquiring more dents, dings, nicks or 1909 about 1940, with serial numbers under 55,000. Incidently, the models 1, 2 & 3 were bolt action. female counterpart at the rear of the action work surface such as a table or workbench, and lay down old A few were made with an "R" prefix in the R10,000 - R13,000 serial range. Actions may be thinwall (like the Cadet), thickwall, or
Hanging dust and other harmful contaminants can get into your