BigMikey76
New member
Why has the term "pistol" come to refer specifically to semi-automatic handguns?
I know the term predates the modern semi-auto. In fact, it predates revolvers, going back to the earliest handguns and showing up in multiple languages, such as the German "Pistole," "pistolet," in French, and "Pistola" in both Italian and Spanish.
It carried into the days of the revolver, as evidenced by Wild Bill Hickock's unofficial title "The Prince of Pistoleers."
At what point, then, did "pistol" stop being a general term and become specifically associated with modern semi-autos?
I know the term predates the modern semi-auto. In fact, it predates revolvers, going back to the earliest handguns and showing up in multiple languages, such as the German "Pistole," "pistolet," in French, and "Pistola" in both Italian and Spanish.
It carried into the days of the revolver, as evidenced by Wild Bill Hickock's unofficial title "The Prince of Pistoleers."
At what point, then, did "pistol" stop being a general term and become specifically associated with modern semi-autos?