alternatehistory.com

In light of this thread, among others, I wanted to ask something that's bugged me for awhile. Borchardt made auto pistols in 1893. The Cei-Rigotti appeared in 1890. The Kjellman traces its origins to an 1870 patent. The Webley-Fosbery isn't terribly different from an 1850 Colt. So I wonder: what is the earliest a semi-auto or full-auto smallarm, relying entirely on internal power (gas or recoil, no Gatlings), could have been produced, & by whom? And if, as I understand it, smokeless powder &/or metallic cartridges were required, again, when & by whom? Also, any thoughts on the effects? I'm not too concerned with the POD, tho extra points if you can divert somebody from another field (I recall somebody attempting an IC engine fuelled by gunpowder:eek: who might do...if he lived.:p). Bonus points if you can make him Canadian.:p
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