Editing Gunpowder (section)

=== Smokeless powders ===

The term ''black powder'' was coined in the late 19th century, primarily in the United States, to distinguish prior gunpowder formulations from the new smokeless powders and semi-smokeless powders. Semi-smokeless powders featured bulk volume properties that approximated black powder, but had significantly reduced amounts of smoke and combustion products. Smokeless powder has different burning properties (pressure vs. time) and can generate higher pressures and work per gram. This can rupture older weapons designed for black powder. Smokeless powders ranged in color from brownish tan to yellow to white. Most of the bulk semi-smokeless powders ceased to be manufactured in the 1920s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.swissrifles.com/ammo/index.html|title=Swiss Handguns 1882|website=www.swissrifles.com}}</ref><ref name=Wakeman/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/nebland/articles/history/shotshells.asp |title=The History and Art of Shotshells |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114215300/http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/nebland/articles/history/shotshells.asp |archive-date=14 November 2007 |first=Jon |last=Farrar |work=Nebraskaland Magazine |publisher=Nebraska Game and Parks Commission}}</ref>