Lever Action Rifles: A Brief History
Early beginnings: The First Precursors
The concept of a lever-action rifle goes back to the early years of firearms development. There are several precursors and similar designs that paved the way for the modern lever action rifle. One example is the Voltega’s rifle, dated around 1770 by Russian inventor Ivan Voltaiga. This rifle operated using a lever system attached to the trigger guard that worked to eject spent rounds.
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French Origins: The First Truly Lever-Action Rifle?
Another pivotal design came from France. In the early 1860s, French naval engineer Casimir Leclerc developed The Leclerc Model 1861 (Model 1861 is not the Mauser rifle). This true lever-action rifle featured no hammer and would instead rely on the chamber closing to create a strong resistance that would ignite centrefire cartridges, then rimfire capsules for 16-gauge pistol ball. Leclerc’s design used three mechanisms: a stroke or movement of the slide handle, a slide plate that blocks the bolt upon being moved, and safety catch prevents any accidental discharge.
There’s an ongoing debate surrounding who invented the first, real lever-action rifle as these designs were developed shortly around the same time during this period. The uncertainty adds complexity to the concept. However, Samuel Colt and Benjamin Hotchkiss also built versions with lever-action functionalities within their designs.
Before 1860, similar action types were created mainly based on the cutoff breech mechanism designed by C.E. Pattison.
They didn’t, after a time, work completely to their full potential nor effectively in the long-coming.
‘Mare’s Leg, My Dear’: The Era of Modern Lever-Actions (1860s–1910s)
The Civil War (1861–1865) acted as a catalyst for both improvements and innovations in muzzle-loader design. The time has passed, and development would soon shift towards smokeless powder and more manageable guns.
Winchester 1866: Patent no. 52. The Winchester Cartridge Rifle was devised to utilize .56 calibre and its primary focus was on smooth-bore-barreled and percussion-principle. It features a lever action based upon a retracted rod, which allows shells extraction.
Winchester 1854, the first muzzleloader to use a slide lock to eject spent bullet cartridge. The Winchester would work well with rifles, carbines (assault rifles)** the best way to do without to handle the gun using any means.
Famous Lever-Actions in History
- Winchester.73 Model 1880 and.45-110 1884, popular for hunting use (the.45 – **110** was.444 Magnum).
- Rossi M1 lever-action rifle
Peculiarities vs Modern Designs
- Cutover Breech Actions (Patent no.:52): This refers to a mechanism where bullets slide down the barrel
- Block Actions (Patent): It refers to a rifle’s slide plate-blocking the bolting mechanism** to discharge ammunition
`How Did the Lever Actions Function?`
The ‘cocking’ position will cause the hammer move with a stroke trigger and hammer in alignment at the same time – lever’s release. For modern rifles, this operation becomes more streamlined process than in the past in part because of fire-rate and accuracy expectations
• Slide the chamber back (not up and down)
To handle the hammer hammer position, the hammer gets removed. In certain ways, the Slideplate’s action with no bolt mechanism on either side is key part
• Stroke position
• Return it back** and allow lever “back to its starting station"
