Charles Henry Ballard invented the Ballard action.

related:

• action, Ballard
• action, dropping block
• United States Patent Office, Letters of Patent No. 33,631, dated 5 Nov 1861 ⇒

Footnotes / Sources:

Ballard, Charles H. Improvement in Breech-Loading Fire-Arms. Patent 33,631. 5 Nov. 1861. Print.