James,
I am pretty sure every French proof powder prior to the year 1900 was a semi smokeless powder. The first truly smokeless powder was powder T, which became the default proof powder in 1900. People could and did specify powder S or J after 1900. It took the proofhouse a few years to get proof with the new powder completely sorted, and powder S was a higher pressure proof at the turn of the century.
Powder T is used to this day. French proof is, by law, the highest in Europe.
I really dont know anything about Ideals. At least not anything that matters.
Best,
Ted
