Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWilson
In a sense, but it wasn't actually designed at S&W. The patent and design of the .25 Clement auto were acquired and modified to produce the .35 semiautomatic...
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Indeed. The company fudges a bit on their history webpage when they write in the chronology:
“1913
.35 Automatic Pistol
After years of development and testing, Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol on May 3, 1913....“
The Clement Model 1909 bears an uncanny resemblance to the Model 1913. The original contribution by S&W to the design were mostly the unique recoil spring disconnector and the safeties, including a grip safety. The Clement is a 7.65mm, by the way.