The Clair Model 1893 Semi Automatic Pistol,One of the first semi-automatic designs ever created, the

The Clair Model 1893 Semi Automatic Pistol,One of the first semi-automatic designs ever created, the Clair pistols was the creation of three brothers;  Benoit, Jean Baptiste, and Victor Clair.  Unlike most other handgun designs, the Clair pistol was unique in that it was gas operated, with the gas tube located below the barrel.  Most semi-auto handgun designs are recoil operated.  The Clair pistol used the standard French 8mm revolver cartridge (8x27R).  Before the widespread use of detachable magazines, this odd pistol had a fixed internal magazine which was loaded by inserting cartridges into the grip.  When fired a bit of gas from the discharge of the pistol would work a piston which worked the action, ejecting the spent casing while loading a new cartridge from the magazine.  At least that was how it was supposed to work.The Clair brothers patented their design and built a prototype for military testing.  The Clair was tested against the French Mle 1892 revolver.  Unfortunately the Clair suffered from numerous problems, including failures to feed, jams, and leeks in the gas tube.  In addition the Clair design was too complicated for regular maintenance and mass production.  As a result the Clair pistol was rejected by the French Army.  Only one prototype was ever built. -- source link

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