Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Pre 1914, .310 Martini Cadet Rifle, 1910

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Overview

The Martini Cadet is a centerfire single-shot 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, it is internally different. Chambered for the .310 Cadet cartridge (aka: .310 Greener), it was used from 1891 to 1955.

Historical information

In 1910 the Australian Commonwealth Government introduced a system of universal cadet training, and issued the States with what is now known as the .310 Martini Cadet Rifle. These employed the Francotte Patent, and were made in the UK by both Greener and B.S.A. Differing from the .310 Westley Richards Cadet rifle by employed the Francotte patent martini action, the Greener and BSA Cadets can be found carrying the markings of any of the Australian states.

Numbers of these rifles were issued during World War 2 to Volunteer Defence Corp units. A pattern of bayonet was fabricated at the WA Government Railway Workshops in Midland to enhance its utility as a stopgap weapon.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-54-439

Contextual Information

Examples of this weapon may be found in the Pre 1914 Gallery (cadet rifle context) and in the World War 2 Gallery with bayonet (Volunteer Defence Corps context). All firearms in the Museum's collection are rendered innocuous and cannot be operated. Weapons on display are cased and individually secured.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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