[Inyo-Mono]

A pistol, by definition, is not a revolver. (One of those little-known gun collector facts)

But if you read authentic accounts from the Old West, many called their revolvers "pistols." "He pulled out his pistol in the saloon, and began firing." Which is where the term "Pistoleer" came from.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

But if you read authentic accounts from the Old West, many called their revolvers "pistols." "He pulled out his pistol in the saloon, and began firing." Which is where the term "Pistoleer" came from.

From The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister (1902)

And then, before quitting the store, he made his toilet for this little hand at poker. It was a simple preparation. He took his pistol from its holster, examined it, then shoved it between his overalls and his shirt in front, and pulled his waistcoat over it.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

But if you read authentic accounts from the Old West, many called their revolvers "pistols." "He pulled out his pistol in the saloon, and began firing." Which is where the term "Pistoleer" came from.

Sorry about that. I forgot the best part -- the iconic line that has become a Western genre cliche.

From The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister (1902)

The Virginian's pistol came out, and his hand lay on the table, holding it unaimed. And with a voice as gentle as ever, the voice that sounded almost like a caress, but drawling a very little more than usual, so that there was almost a space between each word, he issued his orders to the man Trampas: “When you call me that, SMILE.” And he looked at Trampas across the table.

[Fido969]

Actually, the term "Pistoleer" (or "pistolier") comes from the 1500-1600s, and describes a particular type of military horseman who carried a pistol of the period, which was a single-shot short gun.