Modèle 1935 pistol

Modèle 1935 pistol
Modèle 1935A pistol
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1937-1960s
Used by	See Users
Wars	World War II First Indochina War Algerian War
Production history
Designer	Charles Gabriel Petter
Designed	1935
Manufacturer	Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques SACM
Produced	1937-1956
No. built	84000
Variants	Model 1935A, 1935S
Specifications
Weight	730 kg (1,610 lb) model A, 790 kg (1,740 lb) Model S
Length	7.75 in (197 mm)
Barrel length	4.29 in (109 mm)
Height	4.96 in (126 mm)
Cartridge	7.65×20mm Longue
Muzzle velocity	345 metres per second (1,130 ft/s)

Two versions of French military pistol "Model 1935" exist, the model 1935A and the model 1935S. Both were designed to compete in the 1935–37 French military trials conducted by the Commission d’Experiences Techniques de Versailles to select a new sidearm. While similar in concept and design due to the specific requirements of the trials committee, they share no parts in common.

The Pistolet automatique modèle 1935A (Automatic Pistol Model 1935A) or Modèle (Mle.) 1935 A is a semi-automatic pistol chambered for the 7.65mm Longue cartridge. It was developed by the Swiss Charles Petter (a former captain of French Foreign Legion), engineer of the French company Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM) and used by the French Army in several wars.

Petter designed a pistol which had some of the same design elements as the John Browning M1911 such as the grooved slide and barrel which interlocked and recoiled together until a pivoting link lowered the barrel, thus unlocking the assembly and further rearward movement of the barrel and slide together, which after reaching the point of greatest movement would be returned back to battery. Along the way the slide would strip a cartridge from the magazine and push it into the chamber just prior to the under barrel link forcing the barrel up into engagement with the slide, locking the action. Petter eliminated the barrel bushing and used a full length spring guide which had the effect of removing one of the elements of inaccuracy from the M1911 design and increased functional reliability.

A unique feature of the system was an integrated fire control system. The trigger, hammer, mainspring, and sear assembly were contained in one unit. His design impressed SIG of Switzerland, who licensed it in order to produce their model 47/8 handgun (which became the Sig P210.

It won the 1935–37 competition to produce the new French military sidearm. Initial production began in 1937, and the pistol began delivery to the French Army in late 1939, with a total of about 10,700 pistols built before German forces occupied the SACM factory in the summer of 1940. The Germans continued production of the 1935A, now designated the "Pistole 625 (f)", with about 23,850 pistols made for the German forces. Following the end of the German occupation of France in 1944, SACM resumed production of the 1935A for the French military, making a further 50,400 pistols. In total, about 84,950 1935A pistols were produced between October 1937 and February 1950.