People dreamed about the perfect weapon long time ago. From primitive weapons like a lance with a rock on an edge peoples tried to crate the gun, that could have power of lightning and thunder.
There was times, when greatest minds worked on some scientific things, which any mortal cannot understand.
Was a scientist, who called himself Doctor Alset. He was the pioneer in electricity and was really serious about creating something incredibly damaging and powerful.
Also, in this reality, peoples do not made choose paths of "steam" or "electricity". They just combined both paths, as Dr. Alset combined power of steam and damaging of electricity to create this most powerfull weapon.
Weapons created in Gunsmith style, with copper pattern, blue-glowing parts, lightly designed with gold and fancy wood. Also, you can see how weapon decorated with gears and danger signs on a weapon, that makes rifle more dangerous and sharp looking.