Falling block action
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A falling-block action rifle is a single-shot firearm action in which a solid metal breechblock slides vertically in grooves cut into the breech of the rifle and actuated by a lever.
When in the top position, it is locked and resists the force of recoil while sealing the chamber. In the lower position, it leaves the chamber open to be loaded by a cartridge from the rear. After loading, the lever returns the block to the top position to lock the breech in place to seal the chamber.
Military rifles using this action were common in the 19th century, and included the Sharps rifle, Krag-Petersson, Ballard rifle, Farquharson rifle, and Martini-Henry. It was replaced by the faster bolt action, which could reload from a magazine.
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