BSA Cadet & Cadet Major owners club.

[Mike Woody Watkins]

I know there has been quite a few threads about the humble Cadet but let’s bring them all together and start a Cadet owners club. So, come on show us yours and tell us why and how you have one. I’ll start………

I bought mine blind from a auction a few years ago now in mind to restore it but the moment l collected it l just knew I couldn’t (and shouldn’t) do anything to it other than repair the trigger and give it a good clean. The patina on it is just lovely, she is totally original and is great fun to shoot .

 

[zx6fighter]

Got minor short while ago, bought it for using in the vintage air rifle competition at the club.
Bit rough round the edges, and shooting at just under 5 fpe.

I'm loving it, think it's great

 

[robthedog]

I have one a Major cadet, in a very sorry state, it was my first air rifle, & was in fact an engagement present from my mum to my dad, purchased new, in 1952

 

[JonM]

I'll have to find where they are, but the first of the Cadet Majors was due to my trading one weekend many years ago now, at one of the summer meets at Bisley. In the marque was a very nice example of the Cadet, which at the time I'd not knowingly seen an example of before.
As it was on the small/short side, the dealer then passed a Cadet Major to me for examination. Very impressed with the design so I bought it.

From a thread on here recently, it is VERY likely that I'd seen and used these BSA models previously as it appears that they were commonly used as funfair/shooting gallery rifles.

I'll post pics of mine when I track them down!

 

[kylestocklein]

Love it, sometimes the best thing you can do is leave them original. Patina, history, and a gun that’s shot a few rounds over the years just adds character. A good clean and trigger work is all it really needs. Can’t beat enjoying it as it is!

 

[dfmwilco]

Well mine was from a member at my club who found it at a carboot.
On the chrono it is all over the place between 0.65-4.5ftlbs so trying to be accurate is well a challenge to say the least
However it is just a nice looking old gun and more a piece in my collection than a regular shooter.
Is fun though trying to hit something...barn doors watch out!

 

[Backgardenplinker]

Not a major, just a cadet. Had it for a while. I got it because its a pretty little thing, was very cheap and for some close range shooting fun and tinkering its been ideal.

Its has a HW30 piston seal, sleeved piston, HW 30 mainspring and guide in it. Around 500 fps. Its always been rough and with aged patina

 

[Alex S]

I have a 46-47 Cadet, which was one family-owned from new until I bought it earlier this year.
Needs a little work, here it is with my Pre WW1 BSA Model D.

 

[John M]

Here's a cadet doing sterling service on a fairground range.

It was part of Carters' travelling fair, which I understand has since sadly disbanded. One of their fairground ranges used to have a display of boys' airguns that included a BSA Standard No 1, a Meteor Mk 1 and of course, a Cadet.

I can never resist a fairground range, especially if a Meteor or Cadet is present.

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

Here's a cadet doing sterling service on a fairground range.

View attachment 825013

It was part of Carters' travelling fair, which I understand has since sadly disbanded. One of their fairground ranges used to have a display of boys' airguns that included a BSA Standard No 1, a Meteor Mk 1 and of course, a Cadet.

View attachment 825012

I can never resist a fairground range, especially if a Meteor or Cadet is present.

What a hard life …..!

 

[Lemimarshall]

Ol man has given me his Cadet to repair once I get a chance. Does anyone know if TW Chambers is the best place for spares for the Cadet?

 

[John M]

Protek Supplies are worth trying too.

 

[Alex S]

Ol man has given me his Cadet to repair once I get a chance. Does anyone know if TW Chambers is the best place for spares for the Cadet?

Mine needs a breach seal, good to know, thank you.

 

[jsud2002]

My humble little Cadet

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

My humble little Cadet

View attachment 825402

Very nice . Looks in excellent condition?

 

[zx6fighter]

Mine needs a breach seal, good to know, thank you.

I managed to fit what I think was a hw99 breach seal that I had lying around, had to remove a little bit of material as the breach is angled, seems to be working ok

 

[Backgardenplinker]

I managed to fit what I think was a hw99 breach seal that I had lying around, how to remove a little bit of material as the breach is angled, seems to be working ok

I made breach seal out of polyurethane? Plastic pipe but pretty sure a Weihrauch seal went in it as well for awhile. It does work

 

[Cammie1314]

I've just acquired this one out of the scrap pile. It's complete and unmolested. The breech seal is knackered and probably the piston seal as well. It's doing 2.7 ft lbs. I like these neat wee rifles. What sort of fps should they be doing? The ticket on it said 1951?

 

[Backgardenplinker]

I've just acquired this one out of the scrap pile. It's complete and unmolested. The breech seal is knackered and probably the piston seal as well. It's doing 2.7 ft lbs. I like these neat wee rifles. What sort of fps should they be doing? The ticket on it said 1951?View attachment 826352

Another lovely scrap find! I would say power in the 4-5 region

 

[Mike Woody Watkins]

I've just acquired this one out of the scrap pile. It's complete and unmolested. The breech seal is knackered and probably the piston seal as well. It's doing 2.7 ft lbs. I like these neat wee rifles. What sort of fps should they be doing? The ticket on it said 1951?View attachment 826352

Another one saved !