Hello Folks,
Correction...This is a Model 12 but has a 25" barrel, which is even shorter than the Model 8 barrel is supposed to be at 26".
The stock disc and receiver are marked with only the C broad arrow mark.
Does anyone know anything more about the Canadian provenance, or can point me in the right direction to more information?
Thank you for any help.
Dave
Ask on the britishmilitaria forums. They have a forum for the martini cadets.
This was posted on another forum
"However, I later found out from a post on rimfire central that there were two Canadian Privy Council orders for BSA Martini's for Cadets in 1925 (Order #440 for 1000 rifles, no model number specified) and 1927 (Order #2394 for 500 rifles, although these were specified as BSA #6).
The 1925 Privy Council order is believed to have been for Model 13 BSA Martinis which had the heavier receiver (similar to the model 12) but the shorter barrel (same length as the model 8); although there is no actual proof of this. Canadian BSA Martinis show C with an arrow stamped on the butt stock. BSA Martinis also have proof marks (as in the diagram below) with a capital letter ranging from A through V (only visible when the fore end furniture is removed)."
I hope this may point you in the right direction.
We had similar ones in the SADF, used to be for school cadets. That fell by the way in the late seventies/early eighties and we used them in practical shooting competitions before 1989. Lovely guns.
I have owned a few over the years and finally realized I shouldn't trade them off since I just want another one. I haven't had one yet that didn't shoot really well, and although the barrel is heavy, they balance nicely. Great gopher guns!