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We often get questions relating to the BSA Cadet and Cadet Major on here so I thought it might be an idea to create abit of a guide to cover the usual bits like identifying the different parts and what is interchangeable etc. I will make a start but let's make it a team effort,I'm far from expert and happy to stand corrected so please feel free to add to the thread. Many of us started off with a Cadet and both it and the Major seem to evoke pleasent memory's for many of us,plus there are still thousands of them out there often for pocket money prices so here goes CADET Prefix numbers. A 1945-46 B 46-49 BA 49-51 BC 51-59 CADET MAJOR M 1947-48 C 1948 Y 1949 CA 49-55 CC 55-57 Overall length. Cadet 37.5 inches. Major 42 inches.
Both aprox due to slight variations. Stock length. Major 684mm Barrel length. Major 468mm Cylinder length. Cadet 232mm Major 262mm Piston. Cadet 100mm Major 114mm (without piston washer) Piston rod.
Cadet 128mm Major 142mm Cocking Link length. Major 193mm Weight. Cadet 4.5lb's. Major 5.5lb's Spring length.
Major 200mm (both are aprox) Outer Diameter. Cadet 19.7mm Major 19.7mm Intern Dia. Cadet 13.5mm Major 13.5mm Coils. Major 32 A number of parts are exactly the same for both models including the trigger and guard,spring guide, stock bolts(plus washer) Barrel latch and spring and the cocking link,barrel and sear axis springs. The Major has an adjustable trigger so the rear block or trigger block is different and is easily distinguishable by the hole in the top for the adjuster screw. Piston washers are the same for both models, slight differences in styles do excist. Earlier stocks on both models had a cross grain strengthener in the grip and the rear trigger guard screw held the action to the stock,sometime around 1948 this changed to a more traditional locking stock bolt(same part on both models) The Cadet had fixed sights whereas the Major had an adjustable rear sight.
The majority of barrels are rifled but smooth bore were available and are marked 'SB' It has been suggested that these were for Fairground use and the like. All were.177 although a.22 Major was made for research purposes but decided against due to lack of power apparently,if true it's interesting to note that BSA latter made a.22 Merlin. Both models were fitted at a later point with BSA's patent filter disc which claimed to 'prevent dust and other injurous matter entering the bore' Some confusion arises on identifying the Cadet and Major as the etching on the top of the cylinder is often long since gone and not all stocks were embossed with the BSA logo on their left flank. Feel free to add any more info but let's keep the 'my Grandad had one of these comments' to below a thousand please Atb,Phil. Spares are available from the usual Chambers/Knibbs etc but often require alittle fettling. Protek supplies stock both new and used parts. There always tends to be a selection on the bay but often make rich money.
There are still 'parts' rifles out there which may yield some useful spares which often sell for less than the sum of their parts or else a wanted add here on the forum often brings good results. Due to their bombproof nature they often require little more than service items ie main spring and piston / breech washers. Regarding washers I bought a cheap punch set and a couple of off cuts of leather and make most of my own,certainly a money saver if you like a tinker. I still give my late Dad's Cadet Major an airing now and then. Odd you say it should be 5.5 ftlbs as his is.! I've painted the face of the rear sight and fore sight ball white, easier to pick out dark targets.
There's fond memories as a kid shooting against my mate and his scoped BSA, we each had to shoot our own bean can to the end of his garden, the little Cadet Major held it's own then and still would I reckon. I had a nice afternoon last Autumn shooting with my Dad at targets 20+ yards away from his garage. We were comparing his gun with my AA s400 pcp, just as much fun was had shooting 40mm targets with his and the 5mm eye on tne end of an acorn with mine. I still give my late Dad's Cadet Major an airing now and then. Odd you say it should be 5.5 ftlbs as his is.!
I've painted the face of the rear sight and fore sight ball white, easier to pick out dark targets. There's fond memories as a kid shooting against my mate and his scoped BSA, we each had to shoot our own bean can to the end of his garden, the little Cadet Major held it's own then and still would I reckon. I had a nice afternoon last Autumn shooting with my Dad at targets 20+ yards away from his garage. We were comparing his gun with my AA s400 pcp, just as much fun was had shooting 40mm targets with his and the 5mm eye on tne end of an acorn with mine.
The have undergone some minor changes and updates. Please take the time to read them; it will only take a couple of minutes of your time. By doing so, you lessen the chance of incurring the wrath of the moderation team or making yourself look foolish to other members. 90% of users posting adverts in the Sales forums need to be reminded to read the rules as their posts are wrong.
This is unnecessarily time-consuming and will no longer happen - if your advert doesn't follow the it will be deleted and you'll have to start all over again. To close this box once you've read it (and the Rules), click on the X in the top right-hand corner.
It could be true, it would be interesting to see what they actually go for. Mine was sound apart from a couple of stripped threads on the front of the cylinder, I had to tap them larger, put studs in and then re drill and tap them back to size. I bought it as a project from a dealer down south when I was over one summer. My first rifle was a cadet, which I fitted with a telescopic sight using bicycle pump mounts as there are no scope groves!! It makes me cringe now, but I shot plenty of pigeons with it.
I still use the other one from time to time, just for fun. Nice guns with a feel of quality and great lines!
BSA Small Action Martini Rifles BOB ADAMS COLLECTOR FIREARMS P.O. BOX 23010, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87192 U.S.A. (505) 255-6868 Birmingham Small Arms BSA Small Action Martini Rifles BSA Small Action Martini Rifles The world famous BSA Martini rifles were manufactured from 1909 until phased out in 1955 when the last 12/15 was shipped. The International models were introduced in 1950 and phased out by 1986. Internationals were greatly improved for.22 target work, although the original models were far more versatile for conversion to other calibers. For availability and prices, visit my Model 4 (Australian Pattern) 60,000 small action martini rifles were produced for the Australian government as training rifles in.310 Rook caliber. Serial numbers of the commercial rifles began just under 9,000 in 1909, and ended in 1939 with the high 59,000 range.
In 1947, serials were restarted at P60,000 (Model 12/15) and ended with the model in the low P76,000 range. No martini rifles were produced from November, 1915 until July 1919 because of the war. Production was again halted in October, 1939, and didn't resume until July, 1947 after the rifle was reconfigured as the 12/15. The BSA small action martini came in several configurations, but the most commonly found are the Cadet model, as sold to Australia for training rifles, and the standard martini, used in nearly all of the target and sporting rifles. The standard actions are improved over the Cadet models in the following ways: 1. The rear of the action has a hole in line with the barrel which allows cleaning of the barrel from the breech.
The action tang is drilled and tapped for a receiver peep sight; Parker-Hale No. 7 or 7A target sight, or BSA No.
8 folding tang sight (which came in 5 different heights). The trigger guard is held by a slotted head threaded pin rather than the split pin found on the Cadets This appears to be a Model 9 The early BSA catalogs list many different martini models, including models 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 12/15.
Incidently, the models 1, 2 & 3 were bolt action. None of BSA martini rifles were marked with the model number, so we have to use our best judgement to classify them. I've condensed the model descriptions to the most common (see below). According to a pre-1920 BSA catalog, 'B.S.A. Rifles are consistently capable, in the hands of a good shot, of grouping within a 2-inch circle at 100 yards, or a 4-inch circle at 200 yards. B.S.A.22 Target Rifles are not allowed to leave the factory unless they conform to a very high standard based on these performances.' Many barrels were relined by Parker-Hale or A.G.
Parker in England, and guaranteed to be as accurate (or more accurate) as the original bore. I personally have found this to be true. An original A.G. Parker brochure on 'Pakerifling' from the 1930's states: TO-DAY a 'PARKERIFLED' barrel is comparable to the finest Match Barrel. Constant research has produced the most suitable and hard wearing grade of Swedish Sandvik Steel from which the tubes are drawn.' 'PARKERIFLED' BARRELS SET THE PRESENT DAY STANDARD OF ACCURACY, a 2in CIRCLE AT 100 YARDS. CLOSE SHOOTING IS GUARANTEED.
THE 'PARKERIFLED' BARREL SHOOTS BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL,' IS NO UNCOMMON REMARK. BSA Small Action Martini rifles Model 12. The Model 12 weighs about 8 lbs. And has a 29' barrel with 1' diameter at the breech, tapering to 3/4' at the muzzle. Thinwall or thickwall actions. Heavier than the model 6 & 13, these work well for hunting and informal target shooting, as well as general plinking.
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I've sold many for silhouette rifles. A few are found with the takedown feature, and occasionally they are found in centerfire (.300 Rook). Straight grip stock wwith a half length beavertail forend. These come with either a target style, tang mounted, peep sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A) or a barel mounted ladder sight. They were manufactured from about 1909 about 1940, with serial numbers under 55,000. The Model 8 is essentially the same, but with the shorter 25' barrel. Note: Some barrels may be relined.
Bsa Cadet Major
For availability and prices, visit my For more information on the Model 12, (U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) Model 6 & 13.
Models 6 & 13 are essentially light sporting/target rifles. Weight is about 6 - 7 lbs. And the lightest we have found.
These have a barrel about 25' long, 7/8' diameter at the breech, and a pencil taper to 5/8' at the muzzle. Actions may be thinwall (like the Cadet), thickwall, or rebated (thickwall at breech, thinwall at stock). Straight grip stock with a lightweight forend. A few are found with the take-down feature, and a few are seen in.300 Rook centerfire.
They come with either a target style rear peep sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A), or a barrel mounted open 'v' or ladder sight. Very few are found. They appear to have been manufactured between 1909 and 1939. Serial numbers are mixed with other models and are found in the 9,000 to the high 59,000 range. A few were made with an 'R' prefix in the R10,000 - R13,000 serial range. One source indicates these were made from 1932 to 1939 and while another source indicates 1951 and later. Note: Some barrels may be relined.
For availability and prices, visit my For more information Models 6, (U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) For more information Models 13, (U.K.
HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE). The Model 12/15 is a target model which weighs about 10 lbs. It comes with a full pistol- grip buttstock with cheekpiece, and a 3/4 length target forend.
Some examples were stocked with Italian walnut and may be plain or have outstanding figure (see above). It's equipped with target sights; tang mounted peep rear sight (Parker-Hale 7 or 7A) and tube front sight with replaceable sight insert. Barrels run about 29' long with 1' at the breech and 3/4' at the muzzle.
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Occasionally a bull barrel is found, but are hard to find. No centerfires have been seen - all examined have been.22 rimfire. This model was manufactured after the model 15 (see below). Introduced in 1947, it is the final model of the small action martini rifles. The last example was shipped in 1955. Serial numbers have a 'P' prefix, and are found in the P60,000 to P76,000 serial range.
Bsa Cadet Major Serial Numbers
A very few (prewar?) examples are found without the 'P' prefix in the 50,000 and early 60,000 serial range, although these might be gunsmith or factory conversions. It appears only about 16,000 were manufactured. Note: Some barrels may be relined. For availability and prices, visit my For more information on the Model 12/15, (U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) Model 15.
Cadet Major Rank
The Model 15 is similar to the model 12/15 except for the receiver, which is factory dovetailed for a special rear peep sight (BSA No. The sight slides up and down in the receiver dovetail. Like most BSA martini rifles, it has a hole in the rear of the receiver which allows the barrel to be cleaned from the breech end. Like the Model 12/15, it has a pistol grip buttstock with cheekpiece. Most other specifications are similar to the 12/15. No centerfire examples have been found.
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Serial numbers are mixed in with other models in the 45,000 to high 59,000 serial range, and not very many were made. Note: Some barrels may be relined. Two special models are seen within the Model 15 group: The ' Centurian', which was specially selected to deliver 1 1/2' groups from the factory, and is identified by a 'flat top file-cut rib (on the barrel) which eliminates light reflections.' For availability and prices, visit my Model 15 - Special Stock.
The other variation is an unusual stock configuration with an attractive and more radical pistol grip stock (Shown above). Very few found. For availability and prices, visit my For more information about the Model 15, (U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) BSA International. For availability and prices, visit my For more information, (U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) (U.K. HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) (U.K.
HISTORIC ARMS RESOURCE CENTRE) Credits Most of the above information is from original BSA catalogs and advertisements, and examining many BSA martini rifles. My thanks to Mr. John Knibbs for his history of BSA published in 2002, ' The Golden Century', and to Mr. Terrance O'Hanlon Smith, who's U.K. Historic Arms Resource website is referenced above. A Classic Custom Small Action.22rf BSA Martini Case Hardened Receiver (Click on image for larger view) This custom rifle was built from a Model 12/15 barreled action by Dominick Pisano San Antonio, Texas. Email: [email protected] Phone 210-696-7621 Free counters provided.
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