BSA Cadet with Australian military markings

[trooperdan]

Can one of our Aussie member shed some light on the markings of a .310 Cadet rifle I have? On the buttstock, these markings are deeply stamped but are lined out" N.S.W. R.A.N.R. 378

Then not lined out, stamped on buttstock and receiver is:

C.M.F. 2. MD 33971

I love these little rifles, have 7 or 8 of them, all from the land of Oz

[Bad Ass Wallace]

New South Wales - Royal Australian Naval Reserve (the allocation number)

At some time it would have been re-issued,

Citizen Military Forces No.2 Military District (the allocation number)

I presently have 11 but none marked NT (Northern Territory)

[trooperdan]

Thanks for the reply BA! Good to hear from you again! What is the going rate in Oz for these little cuties in original dress and pretty good condition?

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Here is an Australian auction house I have often bought from, and the prices realized (minus buyer's premium etc.) are given in "Past Auctions".

http://www.australianarmsauctions.com/cat_online_1.html

The prices are mostly lower than elsewhere, but not ridiculously so. However No5, with a dark and pitted bore which is just what many would like if the price were right, went for $160 Australian. I had thought about putting in a low bid, too, although I wouldn't have had the audacity to go that low.

I believe an Australia Post ban on guns overseas is still in effect, but they can arrange delivery by other means. In the past I have had to make an additional payment to the agent receiving and clearing it in the UK, but it still works out a pretty good deal.

I know that emergency use of the Cadet was envisaged, in the event of an invasion by Japan, and this resulted in the production of a jacketed bullet to comply with the Geneva Convention. If it actually got manufactured, that should be a real prize for cartridge collectors.

[swamp]

I have a few of the jacketed Cadet rounds. I have 10 rounds. Headstamp is an M with a circle beside it with something inside it. Below is 310. Pointed bullet.
swamp

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Can you make out whether the bullets are heeled or not? I wouldn't have thought either would be a good way of getting accuracy from the Cadet.

[swamp]

They could be. There is a smaller diameter at the case mouth. Looks to be too wide for a cannelure.
swamp

[BigEyeBob]

Ammunition for the cadet was commercially loaded for a number of years by CMC here in Australia until they folded .
They loaded quite a number of different cartridges ,ie 303/25 , 303/243 , 303/270 , 22/303 & 222Rimmed .
These CMC loaded cartridges are now collectors items and hard to find.
Currently the cadet ammunition is Loaded by Unique Munitions in Queensland , with lead bullets from Hawkesbury river and Bertram cases
Its woefully expensive at $68.00 for 30 rounds. I bought two packets to try them out but at that price I'll roll my own

[Four Fingers of Death]

It is funny, prices for good 310 Cadets in original trim went through the roof for awhile when a match was designed for them here. Then the demand seemed to die off and they slipped back.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I did a group buy of Bertram seconds about 4 years ago and got 4200 cases for $AU38.00/100. examined every one and found just 2 that were un-useable!

[Four Fingers of Death]

I did a group buy of Bertram seconds about 4 years ago and got 4200 cases for $AU38.00/100. examined every one and found just 2 that were un-useable!

Scored well there!

[trooperdan]

I did a group buy of Bertram seconds about 4 years ago and got 4200 cases for $AU38.00/100. examined every one and found just 2 that were un-useable!

Wanker! :) Wouldn't want to share those now would you? :)