Falling-block action
A falling block rifle is a rifle 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 from the rear with originally a paper cartridge containing powder and ball.
Examples are Sharps rifle and Krag-Petersson rifle.
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