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]