Value of BSA Martini Cadet in .357 Magnum

TheOldSarge

TheOldSarge

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Hello. I have been looking online for a value of the BSA Martini Cadet in .357 Magnum. Found values for original .310 cal., but little in .357.
It is full wood. I am looking at hopefully getting it in a trade, but I think the other fellow may be asking for too much. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
 
Not nearly enough information. If all that's been done to it is replacing the barrel and relieving the extractor for the 357 case rim then the $500 price is in the ball park. If its been fitted for a scope base, either Long Eye Relief or some other type and depending on how good the work is, maybe more or maybe less. Condition and professionalism of the job will definitely have a big impact on value.

I have a lovely specimen in 357 Maxi that I wouldn't let go for less than $800, if I were selling. Also small heavy wall action in 257 Maxi with LER mount that would be in the same ball park.

I have another large frame, Peabody type chambered in 303Brit with Enfield rifling that is almost finished that I am calling a Frankentini. It was made from spare parts collected over the past five years. Not all of the parts were made for a Martini action but the very nice No1 MkIII* barrel which had been cut down many years previously was to nice to waste. I trimmed the shoulder, faced it for the extractor and finish reamed the chamber. The rear sight is also from a No1 MkIII* and its only flaw is that it doesn't have windage adjustment. The front sight is from a Ruger No1 Safari barrel that was ruined by Bubba in 458. He cut 6 inches off the end because he wanted it to fit into a saddle scabbard without sticking out to far. I knew that sight would come in handy one day. I used a beater No1 MkI Lee Metford bayonet lug, end cap to finish off the fore end in a similar manner to the Martini carbines. Looking forward to shooting it. I have no idea what someone might pay for it. I can just about guarantee that if it shoots as good as it looks it will bring a good dollar.

Just for the purists out there. All of the components in this build were not collector pieces. The receiver markings were completely scrubbed. All of the other parts, other than the internals were finely pitted and polished out before I found them. Even the butt stock and fore end are made up from pieces glued together. I like it. It's a fine example of what can be done with recycled parts that many would consider junk. Mind you, it is a time consuming labor of love at at the moment.

Now all that has to be done is to glass bed the fore end.
 
Sounds like one of the rifles that was rebored back in the day when ones in .310 were slow sellers @$9.95. I think the .357 conversions were listed @$29.95.
No idea who did the work, or how well it was done.
You would want to give it a really good inspection, preferably shoot it.
Action is worth a bit all by itself, assuming it is in good order. The $500 suggested might be reasonable, if the rifle is a good one.
 
"It's a fine example of what can be done with recycled parts that many would consider junk."

Amazing what can be found in the junk drawer! And when the build is complete, it almost feels like a freebee!

Plus it allows one to find an outlet for any Bubba type ideas and to experiment with techniques and finishes without the danger of wrecking a restoration.

Saying that, my drawer is getting full again. . . . . . .
 
Gunco in Ottawa builds these often . if it was built in the 80’s as aposed to now . the parts and labour are going to be drastically different . what kind of condition? and price is he valuing it at ? ask the fellow if he knows who and when it was converted.
are there any proof marks on the barrel ?
 
It belonged to an old shooting friend, who passed. I have fired it in the past, and loved it for it's simplicity.
I would like it for introducing new shooters to the sport. It's in good shape, and well taken care of.
Another friend managed to get it, and he insists it has great "collector value". However, I don't buy for "collect value", I buy for "shoot value."
He wants an item he sold to me years ago, which I rarely used, and no longer want.
S&W 686-3 PPC Model (locally done by good smith), Wichita sights, full underlug. Plus holster, belt, speed loader pouches, speed loaders, Safariland Ammo Box with tray. (Not made anymore). Plus $ 200.00 extra in cash!

I would trade one for one for the revolver, but nothing else. I prefer the rifle, not the revolver. I have plenty of normal 686s.

I wish I could get some pics, I only have one of it sitting on a firing bench, but don't know how to post.
 
Hard to value without pics .As for collector value in my opinion there is none .Nice part is you can use store bought ammo instead of making 310 cadet ammo .Seems most original baby martinis sell for 500 and up depending on states of original finish .

The one your looking at would be worth 500ish as its no longer collectable and how bad one wants it
 
I like mine.

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^^Very nice! For that one I would jump at $500:);). As a Martini fan I have had quite a few. $600 for a standard shooter seems to be going rate. There are some very nice 310s out there by many makers that bring more money. The 357 kills all collector value but makes a great user.
 
Correct. It was Don's (Bram...) He passed away a couple years ago. It's nice to be able to use either 148gr Wadcutter loads for my S&W M52 and .357 Mag loads for my Dan Wesson model 15-2V in it.

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That ^ is a beautiful little rifle , and a take-down too . I had a rifle very similar to yours years ago in 380 Rook . Unfortunately , I was young and broke with kids to feed , and it had to go . I will get another one day .
 
Hmm, no, no collector value, its not military or original configuration. You could say 'bubba', but not in a bad way, most of us would love to have it.
The value is as you say in its shootablitiy not being .310 cadet or .577/450. I think a strait trade is fair, but sight unseen and no pics, your mileage may vary.



TheOldSarge said:
It belonged to an old shooting friend, who passed. I have fired it in the past, and loved it for it's simplicity.
I would like it for introducing new shooters to the sport. It's in good shape, and well taken care of.
Another friend managed to get it, and he insists it has great "collector value". However, I don't buy for "collect value", I buy for "shoot value."
He wants an item he sold to me years ago, which I rarely used, and no longer want.
S&W 686-3 PPC Model (locally done by good smith), Wichita sights, full underlug. Plus holster, belt, speed loader pouches, speed loaders, Safariland Ammo Box with tray. (Not made anymore). Plus $ 200.00 extra in cash!

I would trade one for one for the revolver, but nothing else. I prefer the rifle, not the revolver. I have plenty of normal 686s.

I wish I could get some pics, I only have one of it sitting on a firing bench, but don't know how to post.
Click to expand...
 
again pics would help .I would say that the 686 package is more than fair less the cash .I just finished a baby martini in 22hornet from parts and new wood and barrel in sporter configuration .Took a lot of hrs of fiddling on it and would value it around 800 ish after ceracoting without the scope and rings IMG_4517 (2).jpg
 

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