 For example, the official designation of the Webley Mk VI revolver was "Pistol, Revolver, Webley, No.1 Mk VI".In contrast to Merriam-Webster, the Oxford English Dictionary (a descriptive dictionary) describes "pistol" as a small firearm to be used in one hand and the usage of "revolver" as being a type of handgun and gives its original form as "revolving pistol"

The pistol originates in the 16th century, when early handguns were produced in Europe.