Origin Story: The Word “Pistol”

by
posted on December 24, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
pistol-origin.jpg

The word pistol may have come from the name of a small town, Pistoia, in southern Italy, where handguns were manufactured in the 15th and 16th centuries. This probably inspired the French words pistole or pistolet, which seem to be the likely inspiration for the word in English. However, some scholars attribute its origin to the Russian word for a 15th-century matchlock gun: pischol. And, there are some researchers that believe the word may derive from the Czechoslovakian word píšťala, which means pipe or tube. (The Píšťala was a 15th-century hand cannon that became well knows due to its use during the Hussite Revolution.) 

According to Merriam-Webster Online, “Pistol comes from the Middle French word pistole, from German, from Middle High German pischulle, from Czech píšťala, literally, pipe, fife; akin to Czech pištět to squeak.” 

Regardless of the true origin of the term, a common definition today for the word pistol is “a gun that has a short barrel and can be held, aimed and fired with one hand.”

Many different types of pistols exist, including revolvers, semi-automatics, muzzleloaders, hinge-actions, bolt-actions and air pistols. Two types of pistols dominate the shooting scene today: revolvers and semi-automatics.

One final note—although the word pistol is frequently associated with semi-automatic handguns, it is proper to use pistol to refer to all types of handguns.


See more:

Latest

CMP Buynow 1
CMP Buynow 1

CMP Streamlines Legacy M1 Garand Sales With Easy ‘Buy Now’ Feature

CMP’s new fixed-price “Buy Now” system makes it easier than ever to own a legacy, non-reclaimed M1 Garand rifle.

Watchtower Firearms, Demolition Ranch Team Up For Limited-Edition DEMOLITIA Blackout 1911

Watchtower Firearms releases limited-edition double-stack 1911 chambered in 9 mm designed with input from Demolition Ranch.

Federal Ammunition Honored With National 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award

Federal Ammunition receives 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award for over 40 years of support for youth programs.

New: Smith & Wesson M&P 15 AXE Rifles

Smith & Wesson launches the M&P 15 AXE lineup of suppressor-ready rifles with reduced gas blowback and modern features.

Review: Savage Arms Mark II & Winchester’s .21 Sharp

As demonstrated in the Savage Mark II FV-SR, Winchester’s .21 Sharp cartridge offers higher velocity and greater precision than .22 Long Rifle rounds.

Marsh Edges Stine In Canadian Showdown To Win Lapua Monarch Cup Opener

Justin Marsh edges Jake Stine by one point to win the Canadian NRA Smallbore Silhouette Nationals and first stage of the 2025 Lapua Monarch Cup.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.