Single shot falling block action

A falling breechblock receiver action for a rifle comprising in combination:

• a breechblock slidably vertically mounted in a receiver relative to a cartridge receiving chamber, said breechblock having an arcuate first recess formed therein and extending from a lower surface to a side surface adjacent said cartridge chamber and further including a second recess overlapping said first recess over a predetermined portion thereof;
• a cocking lever pivotally mounted to said receiver for movement between a rearward position and a forward cartridge eject position, and a linkage arm pivotally coupled at opposite ends to said cocking lever and to said breechblock;
• an ejector member pivotally mounted to a fore end of said cocking lever and within a recess formed in said receiver for engaging and rearwardly moving a cartridge from said chamber, upon moving said cocking lever to said cartridge eject position;
• an arcuate, gravity mounted firing pin mounted to slide in said first recess and including a projection therefrom contained in said second recess for limiting the path of travel of said firing pin;
• a striker pivotally mounted to said receiver and positioned to strike said firing pin upon being released from a cocked position, said striker including a notch formed in an exterior surface thereof for releasably engaging a sear member pivotally mounted to said receiver;
• spring means movably mounted in said receiver for biasing said striker toward an uncocked position while maintaining said striker in said cocked position, and for causing said striker to strike said firing pin when released from said cocked position;
• a trigger, and a sear link connected to said sear member and said trigger for pivoting said sear member responsive to moving said trigger;
• and
• safety means mounted in overlying relation to said sear member for preventing the release of said sear member from the notch of said striker, thus to retain said striker in said cocked position, when in its safe position and for permitting the release of said striker in its fire position.