The single-action trigger performs only the one action of releasing the hammer to fire the bullet. The hammer must be cocked for this to occurr.
No, if it was designed to be a single shot, it's a single shot. It needs to be reloaded after each shot.
For the first shot, a single action auto, like the 1911A1 .45 auto, must have the hammer cocked manually. A double action auto, like the P38 can be fired by pulling the trigger without cocking the...
The first COMMERCIALLY SUCCESSFUL was probably the Borchardt C-93, from 1893. Created by Hugo Borchardt.
Get a owner's manual from the manufacturer and follow the instructions.