Cadet units in New Zealand have a long and interesting history, with the first unit being raised in Dunedin in 1864. The units were developed through schools, and were generally focussed on drills and discipline. Rifles like this one were used for school cadets to practice drills with, as they did not fire. Instead, a small percussion cap was placed in the action which made a noise when the trigger was pulled. This particular rifle was manufactured before World War One, when cadet units were seen as an important part of New Zealand's preparation for defending the Empire. However little is known of its exploits with Taranaki cadets. It spent a number of years at Spotswood College, before being used by a local family as a toy for their children.
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