The single-shot / repeater lever

Portugese M1886 Kropatchek, above
French M1884 Kropatchek, below
 
 

M1886 French Lebel.   The ammunition changed everything,
the first smokeless military ammo.  The rifle itself, a tubular
magazine repeater,  is pretty blase' for the times, rushed into
production to take advantage of the cutting edge ammunition!