2mm Kolibri

2.7mm Kolibri

Kolibri Pistol, 2.7mm Kolibri cartridge, and .45 ACP cartridge
Type Pistol
Place of origin Austria-Hungary
Production history
Designer Franz Pfannl
Designed 1914
Manufacturer Kolibri
Produced 1914
Specifications
Case type Rimless, straight
Bullet diameter 2.7 mm (0.11 in)
Neck diameter 3.5 mm (0.14 in)
Base diameter 3.6 mm (0.14 in)
Rim diameter 3.6 mm (0.14 in)
Case length 9.4 mm (0.37 in)
Overall length 11.0 mm (0.43 in)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
0.2 g (3 gr) FMJ 200 m/s (660 ft/s) 4 J (3.0 ft·lbf)
Source(s): Cartridges of the World [1]

The 2mm Kolibri (also known as the 2.7mm Kolibri Car Pistol or 2.7×9mm Kolibri) is the smallest commercially available centerfire cartridge,[2] patented in 1910 and introduced in 1914 by Franz Pfannl, an Austrian watchmaker, with financial support from Georg Grabner. It was designed to accompany the Kolibri semi-auto pistol or single shot pistol, both marketed as self-defense weapons.

The name is derived from the kolibri or hummingbird, which is among the smallest of birds.

Background

The cartridge weighs 5.3 grams (82 grains), measures 3 millimeters (0.12 in) at its widest point, and 11 mm (0.43 in) from the base of the primer to the tip of the bullet. The cartridge is headspaced on the mouth of the case. The bullet itself weighs 0.2 g (3 grains), and is estimated to have a normal muzzle velocity of 200 m/s (650 fps), resulting in a muzzle energy 4.0 joules (3 foot-pounds).[3]

The round was not well accepted. The 2mm Kolibri's small size makes handling and loading individual cartridges difficult, and the bullet itself is fairly weak, with literature at the time suggesting the round was capable of penetrating only 10–40 mm (0.4 to 1.6 inches) of pine board. The round also suffers some accuracy issues, since the technology of the time was incapable of applying rifling to the bore of such a small caliber, resulting in no spin on the bullet.[3]

The series, and most weapons by Franz Pfannl, were discontinued in 1938.

The cartridge (and related firearm series) is now a collector's item.[4]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kolibri pistol.

References

  1. ↑ Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 pp. 315, 530
  2. ↑ Barnes, Frank C. Cartridges of the World. DBI Books, 1976, p.146
  3. 1 2
    • Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols, p.262. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943.
  4. ↑ http://www.guns.com/2013/03/04/the-2mm-kolibri-the-worlds-smallest-centerfire-pistol-in-the-world/
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