First Semi-Auto Pistol

[MLB]

Kim's question on a handgun she is considering got me to thinking.

What was the first semi-automatic pistol? You'd think I'd know as a handgun enthusiast, but I don't. I want to say Browning's 1911, but that doesn't seem right.

["DoubleAction"]

ML; You do have a difficult one here, but I found that in 1886, Paulson laid the first claim, followed by Schonberger in 1892, Borchardt in 1893, the Orbea Gas Operated Revolver of 1863, and the Pistol belonging to the Clair brothers in 1895.
Borchardt developed a design which led to the developement of the Luger.

[NButler]

much is owed to Hiriam Maxim. He did not create a handgun, but his system of using the guns own recoil to eject and chamber a new round, changed the world of firearms forever.