Introduced in 1928, the Model 28 is a straight blowback double action only semi-automatic pistol in 9mm Browning Long. While using a spring loaded slide like most 20th century automatic pistols, the 28's slide was not meant to be pulled back by the operator; instead a lever on the right side operates the flip-up barrel to either hand-load the first round or manually extract the cartridge to clear the weapon, with a spring-loaded carrier mounted to the magazine floor plate to store said cartridge. Fixed sights, with a smooth ribbed barrel, the one-line Saint-Etienne address on the right of the slide, "LE FRANCAIS" on top, "TYPE ARMEE" on the left, and zigzag border engraving with floral motifs on the frame and slide. The barrel latch and trigger are casehardened, with a set of smooth brass medallions on the checkered grips and a full blue magazine equipped with a cartridge loop.