Looked at one today at gun show in St. Louis Mo. Was originaly .310 but was stamped .32W.S. on the barrel. I am assuming it has been rechambered, but what is .32 W.S.? The gun looked prety decent with a good bore. The dealer wanted $450 and would probably have taken a little less. Will probably see it at the nexe show. Opinions?

Bent Ramrod is right about the ID, I think these conversions may have been done by a gunsmith at Klein's in Chicago in the 1960's.  I am less certain it was a good idea.  The suitable cartridges for small Martini's have been discussed here and on the predecessor Shooters Talk board at length.  The issue is not the strength of the small Martini, but rather it's size.  In this case the barrel shank is getting pretty thin and the breech block may also have been modified to allow loading the longer cartridge.  It is also my understanding that the original barrel dimensions on .310 Cadets varied, so if is on the large end ok, but...

In other words: use some caution here, this is a little edgy.  It also seems like a lot of money for a hacked up small Martini, but I guess dollars are like worthless drachma these days.

Also, the original round is a dandy, a very nice one for the reloader - call it a heeled 32-20.  And an non-converted rifle is not only quite accurate, but also collectible, and will only gain valeu - unlike the conversions.

Thanks for the input guys. Think I will pass on this one. It is a neat little rifle. I have a Martini .22 target rifle that I like but my main interest is in the Stevens single shots. Will keep looking for something that catches my fancy. Heading for Kansas City July 26. Should find something there to my liking.

B_A_W,

NICE rifle!  Please tell us more about the rear sight and how it is mounted.  TIA,

waterman

The cadet rifle was not provided with tapped holes by the factory unless the no8 sight was ordered with it. The no8 sight was a BSA product, not a Parker Hale and was made in a variety of different stem lengths so that it could be fitted to other rifles than the small Martini. I have one for my large frame Martini Henry but it is only usable in the standing position--prone, it hits you just above the eye.
Original .310 cadet rifles are popular in historical gallery rifle shoots here in the UK. I have fitted half a dozen for fellow club members over the last 10 years or so and have always had to drill and tap the holes.
Fred

Another excellant cartridge for a conversion to a hunting caliber is the 7-30 Waters which ia a modified 30-30 case necked to 7mm.  Very accurate, very effective for up to white tail sized animals and can be loaded with lighter bullets for varmint hunting to about 175 yds.  A new barrel and your pretty much done.  I have seen a real fancy example of this conversion(fancy wood, engraving,etc) and the caribu head from the animal that was taken with this cartridge.  Recoil is moderate compared with the 32 WS.