Falling Block
Dan'l Fraser Sidelever Falling Block action hand made by Joseph Smithson. Top photo: action closed. Bottom photo: action open.
An original Dan'l Fraser sidelever falling block action.
Falling Block - A type of action used primarily for single shot rifles whereby some kind of lever actuates a breechblock, moving it downwards in a vertical mortise to expose the chamber. May have visible or enclosed hammer. For any given barrel length, it allows a shorter overall rifle compared to a bolt action because no space is taken up by the forward-and-back cycling of the bolt. Most of the better British makers produced them in limited numbers around the turn of the last century. Perhaps the best-known falling block action today is the Ruger No.1.
Alexander Henry Falling Block action; the rifle chambered for 12-Bore cartridges.
A modern Falling Block action designed and built by Martin Hagn.
Falling Block action --- Upper photo, action closed. Lower photo, action open. In this case, a Webley Model 1902; the rifle chambered for .577, 3" Nitro Express.
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