It was invented in 1851 by Edward Maynard
He wasn't American, he was a Scot. The breech-loading rifle was invented by Captain Patrick Ferguson of Pitfours, Scotland, hence the Ferguson rifle.
The Ferguson Rifle
@ 2 USD
Browning has made one in the past
The breech loading musket and later, the rifle.
If there are any they usually are on the barrel close to the loading breech or above the trigger.
ANSWER In the order: the rifled muskets, the miniè bullet, the breech-loading rifle, the repeating carbine and rifle.
potato did
sharps carbine
in 1810, an American gunsmith, John H. Hall, invented a breech-loading flintlock rifle that could be loaded quickly using a paper cartridge containing ball and powder.
Weapon loads at the breech vs. the muzzle.