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dromia wrote:Grant, you have first dibs if I ever sell my one.

Thank you very much, Adam. In the meantime, I'll keep looking - might get lucky!

What's the difference between the Australian version.?

Alpha1 wrote:What's the difference between the Australian version.?

Like, "what is the difference between a sparrow?"

The 310 Cadets were in the main made for the Australian market. Pre federation in 1901, the Cadets were sold to the original colonies. Post federation they were sold to the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA). However I seem to recall that the federal government didn't take over full control of the military procurement for the country 'till 1906-08 so this the most likely time after which the rifles were stamped Commonwealth of Australia

So pre federation they would just have been marked with colony stampings, post federation they would have had the colony marks they were issued to as well as Commonwealth of Australia stamps.

Grant will no doubt correct any mistakes on dates and such like as I am no expert on Australian history.

Sandgroper is from Western Australia so he would like a WA, Western Australia, marked cadet.

There are build variations of the cadet depending on who manufactured them and when during their 20 year window, the main difference is that the later BSA. CoA, contracts had the improved windage adjustable rear sight as opposed to the earlier elevation only leaf.

dromia wrote: The 310 Cadets were in the main made for the Australian market. Pre federation in 1901, the Cadets were sold to the original colonies. Post federation they were sold to the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA). However I seem to recall that the federal government didn't take over full control of the military procurement for the country 'till 1906-08 so this the most likely time after which the rifles were stamped Commonwealth of Australia

So pre federation they would just have been marked with colony stampings, post federation they would have had the colony marks they were issued to as well as Commonwealth of Australia stamps.

Grant will no doubt correct any mistakes on dates and such like as I am no expert on Australian history.

Sandgroper is from Western Australia so he would like a WA, Western Australia, marked cadet.

There are build variations of the cadet depending on who manufactured them and when during their 20 year window, the main difference is that the later BSA. CoA, contracts had the improved windage adjustable rear sight as opposed to the earlier elevation only leaf.

It's all about the History and having a tangible connection to the past.

Here is a link to a post federation 310 Cadet rifle belonging to South Australia that I recently sold showing the markings.


http://www.pukkabundhooks.com/index.php ... e310Cadet/

Here is a link to an early Francotte actioned Westley Richards Cadet that I reluctantly parted with, this one is pre federation marked for New South Wales Public School Cadet Force.


http://www.pukkabundhooks.com/index.php ... e310Cadet/

And here is a link to my current shooter the Western Australia, BSA, 310 Cadet that Grant covets.


http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=9148

I have got one of them Mine has the leaf sight I all ways wanted one with the adjustable sight.
I have the RCBS mould as well and a set of reloading dies. :cheers:

Nice shooting and nice rifles! I am embarrassed to admit that I shoot .32 S&W long cartridges in my Cadet loaded with Unique powder and .314 swaged SWC bullets at about 900 FPS clocked at about 5 ft from the muzzle. The bullets are so soft that they upset enough in the bore to grip the rifling and are actually quite accurate ay 30 yards. The report from the cartridge is more like a 'boop' than a 'bang'. The cases bulge but size right down again and are usually good for 3-4 reloads before they split. If I didn't happen into a massive number of .32 cases for free I would be using the correct cases and bullets but what the heck, these work fine! I also shoot the rounds in my Ruger .32 HR magnum revolver for a very low recoil load.

Nice looking rifle, thanks for posting the pics up.