Custom BSA Australian Martini Cadet .219 Zipper Improved Rifle Unertl Scope

SOLD FOR: $1,282.87

LSB#: WY240823JH008

Make: Birmingham Small Arms

Model: Custom Martini Cadet

Serial Number: X468

Year of Manufacture: 1909-1921, ATF Modern

Caliber: .219 Zipper Improved (as a wildcat cartridge, the chamber should be cast to confirm exact dimensions before firing)

Action Type: Single Shot Lever Operated Falling Block Action

Markings: The left of the receiver is marked “MADE BY THE BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS Co Ltd“, “TRADE” with BSA’s stacked rifle logo, “MARKS” and “BSA”, the right is marked “COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA”, “X468”. The left of the barrel is marked “219 ZIPPER IMP”, the right is marked “APEX”.

Barrel Length: 26″

Sights / Optics: The barrel has two mounting blocks installed with rings holding a J. Unertl 12x scope with crosshair reticle. The scope has threaded lens caps which have kept the glass fairly clear, showing faint wear in the body.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth wood with a beavertail forend, pistol grip, monte-carlo comb with cheekpiece, and orange rubber Pachmayr White Line buttpad. There is a sling stud in the forend, but this is used as the mounting screw for the forend. There is no provision for a rear sling mounting point. The stocks have a few scattered light marks. There are some deep knots and grain features that are filled, most notable on the right of the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad, 13 3/4″ to the back of the wood. The pad has minor wear and discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in Fine condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: The barrel’s finish appears Original, but the barrel is not original to the receiver. The receiver has been Refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent light erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout with a few minor marks on the barrel and receiver. The receiver has some minor erosion, a few nicks, and tool marks under the finish. The lever appears to have been bent and had an extension welded on before being refinished. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as customized.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with the installed scope as described.

Our Assessment: This is a Martini Cadet rifle built by BSA and sold to the Commonwealth of Australia. BSA and Greener made these rifles for use by the Australian military cadets starting in the late 1890’s with the majority made in the early 1900s to supply Australia’s mandated marksmanship training program. After WWII, many were converted to sporting or target rifles by gunmakers like Sportco, and the original Cadets as well as their Sportco conversions were imported into the United States starting in the late 1950’s. This example has been through a conversion with new stocks and a new barrel chambered for .219 Zipper Improved installed. Based on the .30-30 casing, Winchester created the .219 Zipper in 1937 to make a high-velocity center-fire .22 cartridge. As he frequently did, P.O. Ackley quickly came out with an “improved” version of the cartridge with a shorter neck and steeper shoulder, allowing more volume for powder behind the projectile. The original Zipper cartridge could push a 55 grain bullet past 3,000 fps and, while modest, the Improved version increased velocity a little bit. Paired up with a great 12x Unertl scope, it’ll be a nice little shooter made on a receiver built in England and sold to Australia about a century ago, converted for varmint or target shooting here in the States. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud