Who Made the First Lever Action Rifle?
Lever action rifles have been a staple of American firearm history for over a century and a half. Their iconic design, featuring a lever that is cocked by the user to load the next round, has been imprinted on popular culture. But who exactly created the first lever action rifle? In this article, we’ll delve into the history of lever action rifles and explore the claimants to the title of inventor.
Early Beginnings
The concept of a lever-action rifle dates back to the early 19th century, when a series of patents were issued for various lever-operated firearms. One of the earliest known patent holders was Samuel Colt, who in 1838 received a patent for a revolver that used a lever to rotate the cylinder and index the next chamber. This design would later influence the development of lever action rifles.
The Early Patent Contenders
Several individuals and companies claimed to have invented the first lever action rifle. One of the most prominent was Barton Warren everett, an American inventor who was granted a patent for a "cartridge-firing firearm" in 1837. Everett’s design featured a lever that loaded the next round into the chamber, but it did not have the distinctive loading tube that would become synonymous with lever action rifles.
Another contender was Louis Schmucker, a German-born inventor who claimed to have invented the first lever action rifle in 1845. Schmucker’s design featured a loading tube and a lever that cocked the firing mechanism, but it never entered mass production.
The Birth of the Henry Rifle
The most iconic and influential lever action rifle, however, was the Henry Repeating Rifle, designed by B Benjamin Tyler Henry. Henry, a skilled firearms inventor and manufacturer, began working on his lever-action design in the late 1850s. In 1860, he received a patent for a "repeating firearm" that featured a loading tube and a lever that loaded the next round into the chamber.
The Henry rifle was a groundbreaking design that featured a number of innovative features, including a tube magazine that held 16 rounds of.44-caliber rimfire ammunition, a lever that cocked the firing mechanism, and a trigger that allowed the user to fire the rifle with a single pull.
The Winchester Legacy
The Henry rifle was highly successful, and its design influenced the development of many subsequent lever action rifles. In 1866, Oliver Winchester, the founder of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, acquired the rights to Henry’s design and began mass-producing the rifle.
The Winchester company went on to develop a number of influential lever action rifles, including the Model 1873, which became known as the "Gun that Won the West." This rifle featured a tubular magazine that held 20 rounds of.44-caliber ammunition and was highly popular among cowboys, settlers, and hunters.
Conclusion
While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact inventor of the first lever action rifle, Benjamin Tyler Henry’s design is widely recognized as the first practical and influential lever-action rifle. The Henry Repeating Rifle’s innovative design features, including its tube magazine and lever-operated cocking mechanism, influenced the development of many subsequent lever action rifles.
As for the early patent contenders, while they may have laid the groundwork for Henry’s design, their patents were not as influential or widely adopted. In the end, the Henry Rifle’s impact on American firearm history is undeniable, and its legacy continues to inspire and influence firearms designers and enthusiasts to this day.
Timeline of Lever Action Rifle Development
- 1837: Barton Warren Everett patents a "cartridge-firing firearm"
- 1845: Louis Schmucker claims to have invented the first lever action rifle
- 1860: Benjamin Tyler Henry patents the first practical lever-action rifle, the Henry Repeating Rifle
- 1866: Oliver Winchester acquires the rights to Henry’s design and begins mass-producing the rifle
- 1873: Winchester introduces the Model 1873 lever action rifle, also known as the "Gun that Won the West"
- Late 19th century: Other manufacturers, such as Remington and Marlin, begin producing their own lever action rifles
Famous Lever Action Rifles
- Henry Repeating Rifle (1860)
- Winchester Model 1873 (1873)
- Winchester Model 1886 (1886)
- Marlin Model 336 (1948)
- Remington Model 788 (1967)
- Henry Big Boy (1992)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Lever Action Rifles
Advantages:
- Simple and robust design
- High volume of fire possible
- Low maintenance
- Accepts a wide range of cartridges
Disadvantages:
- Slow to reload compared to bolt-action rifles
- Less accurate than bolt-action rifles
- Limited to shorter barrel lengths due to reloading mechanism
- May experience issues with dirt and debris entering the action
