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According to Wiki;

[edit]Early history (1885–1945)

The first successful design for a semi-automatic rifle is attributed to German-born gunsmith Ferdinand Ritter von Mannlicher, who unveiled the design in 1885.[1] The Model 85 was followed by the equally innovative Mannlicher Models 91, 93 and 95 semi-automatic rifles.[2] Although Mannlicher earned his reputation with his bolt action rifle designs, he also produced a few semi-automatic pistols, including the Steyr Mannlicher M1894, which employed an unusual blow-forward action and held five rounds of 6.5*mm ammunition that were fed into the M1894 by a stripper clip.
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IIRC, the very first successful civilian, high power, semi-auto American rifle as the Standard Arms Model G.
Calibres it came in 25, 30 and 35 Remington.
I do believe this rather odd rifle could be fired in semi-auto or pump action mode.

As far as the first military semi-auto rifle, perhaps the Danish Bang rifle design of 1911?
At least it passed it's first testing.

John Moses Browning and his brother most likely made the very first experimental semi-auto rifle, when they modified a 44-40 Winchester Model 73 (?) by adding some kind of muzzle blast actuated flapper valve to the rifle muzzle. This was attached to a long linkage to operate the lever mechanism for the first semi-automatic rifle ever made. The unusual magazine, fed from the top of the receiver I think. The fall of 1889 puts this patent behind the Mannlicher, but I do not know when he first developed this one.
 
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I used to have a book that featured a Lee Enfield .303 that had an experimental gas tube/action rod system and spring, to cycle it semi-auto. I think it was a factory experiment to learn how to eventually design a proper battle rifle. No idea of exactly when they made it, or if it was the "first", but it sure wasn't the first in production, never mind in service!
 
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