There's a spring on the left side of the action that fits into a detent in the block and holds it in place.  It's the little oval shaped bar that is screwed onto the left side of the action, that from the outside looking at it has no apparent function.  It is actually a bar of spring steel, with a nub that goes through a hole in the action and engages a dimple in the block. 

I recently purchased a Fields rifle, took it apart, and I've built a 3d CAD solid model of the receiver, am going to get quotes on abrasive water jet and EDM cutting of it, to see if it's economical to reproduce it.  I'll wax cast the rest of the parts if I can get the receiver done.   

I'm kind of at a standstill at the moment, I originally scaled up the action slightly to take a bigger diameter and longer barrel shank and to have a bit more sidewall thickness.  When I went to draw up the rest of the pieces, I decided that it would be better to wax cast them than to CNC them.  But, I'll have to mold them, make wax model parts, cut them up and reform to the new size, and then cast them, fit, add material to account for shrinkage, and mold again.

I'm thinking about doing a straight reproduction instead, and just increase the receiver ring and maybe the action wall thickness, and rebate the bottom of the action to take the original floor plate.  Will still have to modify the lever shaft and a couple of the internal parts, but not as much as before.   

dave

As I'm sure I mention before the Field drop block is my favorite of all the English single shots. I love the Soper for the way it transfers little effort into smoothly rotating the breech block, but truth be told, its missing the aesthetic appeal of the Field.

Here's pictures of Whiteys Fields Rifle (martini type) and mine (falling block).  Interesting but logical that he would apply the side lever to both a falling block and a swinging block.

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Chuck you better hurry I am thinking about putting it on the market. I have got all wrapped up in Double rifles etc. At least for awhile. smile Whitey

CM when I got the rifle it had been built originally for a 22LR with a UGLY IMO full length Rib on the barrel with a bad bore and a British style competition style stock. Now has a new med weight McGowan 22LR barrel and a new stock.smile Been done about a year now.BUT still have not shot it. smile Whitey

Dave, I'm pretty interested - however, I would propose 1 small change:  a separate trigger return spring - both easier to do, and that would avoid putting too much stress on the trigger pivot screw.
For the rest, the Field is a brilliant design, extremely robust and simple.
BTW, the actions were made by Field, and sold to "the Trade" - including Greener, H&H etc.

I'll have to check my references, but yes - I thought so.  Not all that much were actually made either.