Martini Cadet Rifle : Naval Reserve Cadets, Victoria

Martini Cadet single shot rifle. Lever action marked on the right side COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA with 3MD 21143 and the serial number. Left side MADE BY THE BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS Co Ltd and TRADE MARK with three crossed rifles in the centre. A kangaroo is stamped on the knox form and the barrel top with MADE BY BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS CO. Butt stamped C.M.F. over 3MD 21143 with a Victorian Government roundel over NAVAL RESERVE CADETS and 583 on the heel . This rifle is complete with a pressed steel foresight cap.

Martini Cadet rifles were acquired by the governments of all Australian states as training weapons. The rifles were ordered from BSA and Greener in Britain in 1907. They were similar to the earlier Belgian pattern, but the backsights resembled, on a smaller scale, the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield type with protecting wings. The receiver is similar in shape to the Martini-Henry Mk IV rifle.