The Petter Pistol
A Historic Milestone in Firearm Development
The Evolution of the 9mm Petter Pistols
Model 1 of the 9mm Petter pistol was produced from 1934 to 1939, while Model 2 was manufactured between 1938 and 1943. In 1937, SIG in Neuhausen forged a groundbreaking agreement with Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM) to produce the Petter Model 1935 A in 7.65mm Long and 9mm Para. This agreement granted SIG exclusive global production rights—excluding France. As part of this arrangement, SIG acquired two original Model 1 pistols in 9mm and 20 pistols in 7.65mm Long, bringing them to Switzerland for experimentation.
Model 1 pistols feature narrow slide serrations similar to the 7.65mm Long version. SACM produced approximately 45,000 of the 7.65mm Long Model 1935 A for the French military. Historical records from SIG’s development archives, including Max Müller’s notes, confirm that at least one Model 1 9mm pistol was received for precision testing between 1934 and 1940. Remarkably, a surviving Model 1 in 9mm Para has been discovered, in excellent condition, nearly identical to the 7.65mm variant.
Key Features of Model 1 and Model 2
Model 1 pistols have barrel lengths of 110mm, while Model 2 barrels measure 120mm. Early Model 1s are marked with “4,” and their magazines bear unique identifiers like “1” and “2,” potentially tying them to specific pistols. Only four units of Model 1 were produced. By 1938, Model 2 emerged with wider slide serrations and slightly revised design features.
All Model 2 pistols sent to SIG between 1938 and 1943 were fully developed at SACM. SIG’s continued experiments benefited from access to SACM’s advanced equipment and raw materials. Notably, SIG number 6026 corresponds to the original Petter pistol number 1 (Model 2), while SIG number 6027 aligns with number 2. An original Model 2 bearing the SACM factory markings and labeled “3” on the frame has also been identified, solidifying its historical significance.
This discovery sheds light on an important chapter in firearm development, blending French ingenuity with Swiss precision—hallmarks of the enduring legacy of the Petter and SIG collaboration.
The Specs and information on the different gun models listed below are based on Das Grosse Buch der SIG-Pistolen, “The Big Book of SIG Pistols,” by Lorenz Vetter.
Original Petter 7,65 mm
French. Army Mod. 1935 A
- Weapon Number: A 488A
- Designer: C. Petter
- Manufacturer: SACM
- Caliber: 7.65 mm long
- Breech: Steel, painted, loading indicator, narrow holding grooves
- Grip Frame: Steel, painted, baked finish
- Barrel Length and Type: 110 mm, hinged barrel with joint
- Number of Grooves: Four
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Located freely in the grip frame
- Front Sight: Looped
- Rear Sight: Fixed
- Grip Panels: Hard rubber with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Very early Petter A model chambered for caliber 7.65 mm long from the year 1935, number 488 of the first series. A total of approximately 45,000 pieces of these pistols were manufactured by SACM.
Original-Petter 7,65 mm
Mod. 1935 A
- Weapon Number: A 4430A
- Designer: C. Petter
- Manufacturer: SACM
- Caliber: 7.65 mm long
- Breech: Steel, parkerized with loading indicator, narrow holding grooves
- Grip Frame: Steel, black painted
- Barrel Length and Type: 110 mm, hinged barrel with joint, like Colt 1911
- Number of Grooves: Four
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Located freely in the grip frame
- Front Sight: Looped
- Rear Sight: Fixed
- Grip Panels: Hard rubber with lanyard loop on the bottom left
Special Features:
Rotatable retaining ring behind the magazine.
Original-Petter
Mod. 1935 S
- Weapon Number: A. M. C. E 8802
- Designer: C. Petter
- Manufacturer: Manufacture d’Armes, Chatellerault
- Caliber: 7.65 mm long
- Breech: Steel, blued, sandblasted, with a loading indicator
- Grip Frame: Steel, blued, sandblasted
- Barrel Length and Type: 110 mm, hinged barrel with joint
- Number of Grooves: Four
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, blued, single-column
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Located freely in the grip frame
- Front Sight: Looped
- Rear Sight: Fixed
- Grip Panels: Hard rubber without lanyard loop
Special Features:
A simplified version of the Petter Mod. 1935 A.
Petter M 50, 9 mm Para
French Army Version, 1950
- Serial Number: 8598
- Designer:
- Manufacturer: Manufacture d’Armes, Châtellerault
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Steel, parkerized, with a loaded chamber indicator
- Frame: Steel, parkerized
- Barrel Length and Type: 110.7 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, parkerized
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Locking Mechanism: Freely seated within the grip
- Front Sight: Fixed to the slide
- Rear Sight: Fixed to the slide
- Grip Panels: Plastic, secured with two screws
Special Features:
A further development of the Petter models 1935 A and 1935 S. The pistol no longer has much in common with the modern SIG P210, even though the design principles originate from the same foundational model.
