I could not find a thread on this so I made one of my own. According to Wikipedia, Smokeless powder was invented in 1884 by gelatinizing guncotton (which was invented in 1846) and adding ether and alcohol. So, can an earlier introduction of smokeless powder change things in time for the ACW? This makes most trapdoor and lever action rifles more usefull and could possibly lead to earlier develpment of rapid fire weapons. So, what do you think?