Which came first the bolt rifle or lever action rifle?

Answer 1

Bolt action came first. It was first produced in 1824, whereas the lever action didn't go into production until 1860.

A2: The lever action Volcanic was in limited production in the 1850's. Its design was "borrowed" by Henry, and then, Winchester. There were others, like Spencer; and single-shot levers like Sharps were made during around the civil war . Levers are usually not as strong as bolt actions and can't take as powerful cartridges.