.35 S&W Auto

.35 Smith & Wesson
Type	Pistol
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Designed	1912
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1913-
Specifications
Case type	Rimless, straight
Bullet diameter	.32[1]
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy 76 gr (5 g) FMJ 830 ft/s (250 m/s) 116 ft·lbf (157 J)
Source(s): "Textbook of Automatic Pistols" [2]

The .35 Smith & Wesson (S&W) is a centerfire pistol cartridge developed in 1912 for the newly designed Model 1913 self-loading pocket pistol intended to compete with the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless .32 ACP and Model 1908 .380 ACP pistols. The .35 caliber name implied a cartridge of diameter directly between those two popular calibers. Actual bullet diameters were .312 for the .32 ACP and the .35 S&W,^[3] and .355 for the .380 ACP. Some .35 S&W pistols can fire .32 ACP ammunition.^[3] The advanced features of the Model 1913 failed to compensate for the earlier availability of the Colt pistols. Gun purchasers were skeptical about a non-standard cartridge when .32 ACP ammunition was widely available.^[2] Approximately 8350 Model 1913 had been made when production stopped about 1921. Smith & Wesson shifted production to their Model 32 self-loading pistol chambered for the .32 ACP from 1924 to 1937. No other firearms were chambered for the .35 S&W, and the cartridge is considered obsolete.^[4] The bullets are rather unusual with a full diameter un-jacketed lead-alloy surface enclosed within the case, and a sub-caliber jacket encasing the exposed nose with a rounded form for reliable loading.^[2]

References

1. • Sharpe, Philip B. Complete Guide to Handloading, p.430. New York, NY: Funk & Wagnalls, 1953.
2. • Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols, p.253. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943.
3. Barnes, Frank. Cartridges of the World 13th Edition, page 337-338
4. • Quertermous, Russell & Steve Modern Guns, p.398. Paduca, KY: Collector Books, 1981. ISBN 0-89145-146-3