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Originally Posted by Bill Akins
Yes there are semi-auto pistols that today are termed as single action semi-autos as is the 1911. But previously they never had to be categorized as "single action autos" until the double action trigger semi-autos came out.
Until then, they were just semi-auto pistols period.
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You are correct, "single action semiauto" is a retronym for what used to simply be called a semiauto pistol.
However, before the double action revolver was invented, there was no such thing as a "single action revolver", they were simply called revolvers. The term "single action" did not exist until the double action revolver was invented.
Thus the term "single action revolver" is just as much a retronym as "single action semiauto" is.
Other retronyms in common use:
hardball
analog watch
World War I
black powder
accoustic guitar
manual transmission