BSA cadet info please

[greasemonkey]

hi all, could anyone tell me what wood is used for the stock on these please,its the later model with the rear stock screw through the grip. i thought it was beech,on close inspection i am not so sure..many thanks..greasemonkey

[Phil Russell]

According to Knibbs 'Golden Century' the early Cadets had beech stocks but as they were prone to split across the pistol grip, they had a bit of wood inletted into the grip.
I have seen Cadets with and without this spline. I found no mention of walnut.
Nice tidy rifles.

Hope this helps.
Cheers, Phil

[greasemonkey]

thanks phil,mine is the later type with out the insert,i thought it was beech,looks like beech but has much closer grain than usual for beech,,thanks..greasemonkey

[torrens]

Hi Greasemonkey, some early post-war Cadets had walnut stocks according to a John Atkins article in Airgunner, but I should think beech was usual. I restored a Cadet Major a few years ago that was definitely not beech, might have been very plain walnut. Like any business airgun makers get supply problems and produce odd batches to a different spec.
If you're refinishing the woodwork then BSA often used an orangey- brown lacquer, I've had good results with Antique Pine shade varnishes.
Cheers Torrens