As to 'originals', the 1881 Marlin was pivotal in the lever gun development as it showed that the military's ctg., the .45/70 could be chambered in a lever gun.

Winchester's breakthrough into this same line was held back until Johnathon B. invented the 86, in 87, seems to me.

There were some Winchesters that should have been there, for sure, but also the rifle that started it all.

The First successful Lever gun.

"Designed by Benjamin Tyler Henry in 1860, the Henry was introduced in the early 1860s and produced through 1866 in the United States by the New Haven Arms Company."

At cowboy action shoots, I have shot my bro's Henry, a reproduction in .45 Colt - what a fun gun to shoot, but it is slower than his .45 Colt Lightening - for me.