A competitor in the 1935–1937 French military trials to select a new sidearm, it initially lost to the SACM 1935A, but production was ordered nonetheless to alleviate in shortages in pistols in the runup to the Second World War.

It was designed by Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), a French government arsenal.

However, as France prepared for the looming war in Europe it became apparent that SACM production was inadequate to meet the military's needs.

MAS began initial delivery of the 1935S to the French military in early 1939, but production ceased after only about 1404 pistols were built when German forces occupied Saint-Étienne in the summer of 1940.

[2][3] The 1935S directly inspired the design of the French service pistol that replaced the 1935A and 1935S, the MAC Mle 1950 in 9mm Parabellum.