The Term "pistol" ....
Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
The Term "pistol" ....
Growing up I always heard handguns referred to as a "pistol." These days the term is used by some writers and advertisers when referring exclusively to semi-automatic handguns in contrast to revolvers.
The etymology/history of the term "pistol" (where we got the word) ......
pistol (n.)
"small firearm with a curved handle, intended to be held in one hand when aimed and fired," 1570s, from French pistole "short firearm" (1566), a word of uncertain origin, sometimes said to be from German Pistole, from Czech pis'tala "firearm," literally "tube, pipe," from pisteti "to whistle," a word of imitative origin, related to Russian pischal "shepherd's pipe."
But the earlier English form pistolet (1550) is said to be from French pistolet "a small firearm," also "a small dagger," which is said to be connected with Italian pistolese, in reference to Pistoia, the town in Tuscany noted for gunsmithing.
--------------------
Technically speaking, the term "pistol" is a hypernym generally referring to a handgun and predates the existence of the type of guns to which it is now applied as a specific term, that is: in colloquial usage it is used specifically to describe a handgun with a single integral chamber within its barrel .... In contrast with modern colloquial usage, the term is technically synonymous with any handgun type, including all revolvers and derringers. Commonwealth usage, for instance, does not usually make distinction, particularly when the terms are used by the military. For example, the official designation of the Webley Mk VI revolver was "Pistol, Revolver, Webley, No. 1 Mk VI". In contrast to the Merriam-Webster definition, the Oxford English Dictionary (a descriptive dictionary) describes "pistol" as "a small firearm designed to be held in one hand", which is similar to the Webster definition for "handgun"; and "revolver" as "a pistol with revolving chambers enabling several shots to be fired without reloading", giving its original form as "revolving pistol"...[
The English word was introduced in 1570 from the Middle French pistolet (1550). The etymology of the French word pistolet is disputed. It may be from a Czech word for early hand cannons, píštala ("whistle" or "pipe"), used in the Hussite Wars during the 1420s. The Czech word was adopted in German as pitschale, pitschole, petsole, and variants. Alternatively the word originated from Italian pistolese, after Pistoia, a city renowned for Renaissance-era gunsmithing, where hand-held guns (designed to be fired from horseback) were first produced in the 1540s. However, the use of the word as a designation of a gun is not documented before 1605 in Italy, long after it was used in French and German.
-from wikipedia-
---------------------
pistolier (n.)
also pistoleer, "one who uses a pistol, soldier armed with a pistol," 1570s from obsolete French pistolier, from pistole
---------------------
As one who uses a pistol a lot I prefer the term "shootist" ...
The etymology/history of the term "pistol" (where we got the word) ......
pistol (n.)
"small firearm with a curved handle, intended to be held in one hand when aimed and fired," 1570s, from French pistole "short firearm" (1566), a word of uncertain origin, sometimes said to be from German Pistole, from Czech pis'tala "firearm," literally "tube, pipe," from pisteti "to whistle," a word of imitative origin, related to Russian pischal "shepherd's pipe."
But the earlier English form pistolet (1550) is said to be from French pistolet "a small firearm," also "a small dagger," which is said to be connected with Italian pistolese, in reference to Pistoia, the town in Tuscany noted for gunsmithing.
--------------------
Technically speaking, the term "pistol" is a hypernym generally referring to a handgun and predates the existence of the type of guns to which it is now applied as a specific term, that is: in colloquial usage it is used specifically to describe a handgun with a single integral chamber within its barrel .... In contrast with modern colloquial usage, the term is technically synonymous with any handgun type, including all revolvers and derringers. Commonwealth usage, for instance, does not usually make distinction, particularly when the terms are used by the military. For example, the official designation of the Webley Mk VI revolver was "Pistol, Revolver, Webley, No. 1 Mk VI". In contrast to the Merriam-Webster definition, the Oxford English Dictionary (a descriptive dictionary) describes "pistol" as "a small firearm designed to be held in one hand", which is similar to the Webster definition for "handgun"; and "revolver" as "a pistol with revolving chambers enabling several shots to be fired without reloading", giving its original form as "revolving pistol"...[
The English word was introduced in 1570 from the Middle French pistolet (1550). The etymology of the French word pistolet is disputed. It may be from a Czech word for early hand cannons, píštala ("whistle" or "pipe"), used in the Hussite Wars during the 1420s. The Czech word was adopted in German as pitschale, pitschole, petsole, and variants. Alternatively the word originated from Italian pistolese, after Pistoia, a city renowned for Renaissance-era gunsmithing, where hand-held guns (designed to be fired from horseback) were first produced in the 1540s. However, the use of the word as a designation of a gun is not documented before 1605 in Italy, long after it was used in French and German.
-from wikipedia-
---------------------
pistolier (n.)
also pistoleer, "one who uses a pistol, soldier armed with a pistol," 1570s from obsolete French pistolier, from pistole
---------------------
As one who uses a pistol a lot I prefer the term "shootist" ...
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Getting smarter every day
Gettin old ain't for sissies!
There just has to be dogs in heaven !
There just has to be dogs in heaven !
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
When growing up in the 70s and 80s, I heard the term pistol to refer to any handgun. When semiautomatics became dominant towards the late eighties, the gun press seemed to reserve the term pistol to these semiautomatics, with revolvers distinguished from the term, and handguns referring to both plus single shots, double barrels etc.
I have mostly adapted the contemporary usage, but I don’t consider anyone incorrect to call a revolver a pistol. After all, Wild Bill is called the Prince of Pistoleeros, not the Royal of Revolvereeros. And he didn’t have 1911s in that sash!
I have mostly adapted the contemporary usage, but I don’t consider anyone incorrect to call a revolver a pistol. After all, Wild Bill is called the Prince of Pistoleeros, not the Royal of Revolvereeros. And he didn’t have 1911s in that sash!
- Scott Tschirhart
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 4056
- Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 2:56 pm
- Location: San Antonio, Texas
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
I remember the old folks talking about “sixguns” and I still prefer to use that term for a single action revolver.
“Pistol” seemed to be used for everything else whether it was a revolver or something else.
Of course when I was starting out in the police department it was mostly Smith & Wesson revolvers and Colt 1911s.
Glock had not made an appearance on the scene.
“Pistol” seemed to be used for everything else whether it was a revolver or something else.
Of course when I was starting out in the police department it was mostly Smith & Wesson revolvers and Colt 1911s.
Glock had not made an appearance on the scene.
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
- Posts: 17463
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:32 pm
- Location: Over the pond unfortunately.
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
I used to say all revolvers are pistols but not all pistols are revolvers but with revolving rifles and shotguns that's not strictly correct but I hate being told by some newbie that only a semi auto is a pistol....
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
gamekeeper wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:13 pm I used to say all revolvers are pistols but not all pistols are revolvers but with revolving rifles and shotguns that's not strictly correct but I hate being told by some newbie that only a semi auto is a pistol....
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
- Griff
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 20869
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 4:56 pm
- Location: OH MY GAWD they installed a STOP light!!!
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
+1. Doesn't even have to be a newbie... Maybe, especially when it's not a newbie!gamekeeper wrote: ↑Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:13 pm I used to say all revolvers are pistols but not all pistols are revolvers but with revolving rifles and shotguns that's not strictly correct but I hate being told by some newbie that only a semi auto is a pistol....
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession!
AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
-
- Levergunner 2.0
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:39 pm
- Location: N Idaho
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
I generally classify my handguns as either:
Revolvers, single shots, and pistols. There’s exceptions to everything, but that just about covers it all
Revolvers, single shots, and pistols. There’s exceptions to everything, but that just about covers it all
“YOU CAN’T SHOOT A BIG ONE IF YOU SHOOT A LITTlE ONE FIRST”
- Old Savage
- Posting leader...
- Posts: 16740
- Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:43 pm
- Location: Southern California
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Pistol - general term
Revolver - specific term.
Revolver - specific term.
-
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 9068
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:05 am
- Location: Sweetwater, TX
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Hmmm. Disney's Pistol Pete always carried revolvers. I'll let one of y'all correct him ...
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
There are varieties of people who've been described as a pistol-something, or a something-pistol, but I can't think of any. Can you?
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
They probably use the term "pistol" because they are too polite or too religious to add "ser" instead of "tol" to the first part.
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Don’t forget these…. https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/ ... ng-pistols
Rumble.com/ hickock45
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
The caption lists them as "flintlock" dueling pistols but one is obviously a caplock. I cannot tell if it has been converted from flintlock but that should cast at least little bit of doubt as to whether they are really THE pistols used in the duel.4t5 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:38 pm Don’t forget these…. https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/ ... ng-pistols
- gamekeeper
- Spambot Zapper
- Posts: 17463
- Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:32 pm
- Location: Over the pond unfortunately.
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
One has been converted you can see where the frozen spring used to be.JimT wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:08 pmThe caption lists them as "flintlock" dueling pistols but one is obviously a caplock. I cannot tell if it has been converted from flintlock but that should cast at least little bit of doubt as to whether they are really THE pistols used in the duel.4t5 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:38 pm Don’t forget these…. https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/ ... ng-pistols
Whatever you do always give 100%........... unless you are donating blood.
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Thanks. I don't know enough about flintlocks to know what to look for.gamekeeper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 4:47 pmOne has been converted you can see where the frozen spring used to be.JimT wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:08 pmThe caption lists them as "flintlock" dueling pistols but one is obviously a caplock. I cannot tell if it has been converted from flintlock but that should cast at least little bit of doubt as to whether they are really THE pistols used in the duel.4t5 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:38 pm Don’t forget these…. https://postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibition/ ... ng-pistols
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Throw in terms like Hawgleg, Smokewagon, forty five, etc and the true use of any word becomes clear. That use is to convey thoughts and ideas in a manner that others can understand. So, whether you refer to a semi auto as a pistol and revolvers as a pistol, as long as the thought or idea is conveyed the word has done it's job.
Of course folks who insist that only semi autos are pistols are fair game for pointing out things like the Webley Fosbery, a semi auto revolver.
Of course folks who insist that only semi autos are pistols are fair game for pointing out things like the Webley Fosbery, a semi auto revolver.
Jeepnik AKA "Old Eyes"
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
"Go low, go slow and preferably in the dark" The old Sarge (he was maybe 24.
"Freedom is never more that a generation from extinction" Ronald Reagan
"Every man should have at least one good rifle and know how to use it" Dad
- horsesoldier03
- Advanced Levergunner
- Posts: 2074
- Joined: Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:32 pm
- Location: Kansas
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Well we always seem to have the self appointed grammar police. Before the internet we were all apparently all ignorant. I dont even care is someone calls a magazine a clip. If we both know the type of weapon they are talking about, we get the meaning.
“Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.”
- LeverGunner
- Levergunner 2.0
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:27 am
- Location: Cecilia, Kentucky
- Contact:
Re: The Term "pistol" ....
Interesting discussion, thanks.
I've always liked the phrase "skin that smokewagon."
I've always liked the phrase "skin that smokewagon."
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
BulletMatch: Cataloging the World's Bullets.
Lead Alloy Calculator
BulletMatch: Cataloging the World's Bullets.
Lead Alloy Calculator