Over the course of the American Civil war, the weapons improved a lot! they made weapons that could fire more than one bullet without reloading, and they made them more powerful.
Factories and armories were making weapons for the civil war often! But a few things affected that making of the weapons.
One thing that affected the making was the need of the soldiers. They wouldn't always need the weapons, but the armories made them in case they did in the future.
Another thing that affected it was the public. They had affect on the war and the producing of weapons, depending on if they would help or not.
back then they didn't have the advanced technology that we do now
The weapons also got a lot more firepower and range! They really are super cool!