2mm Kolibri

The 2mm Kolibri (also known as the 2.7mm Kolibri Car Pistol or 2.7×9mm Kolibri) was the smallest commercially available centerfire cartridge,[3] 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.

2.7mm Kolibri
2mm Kolibri cartridge dimensions
TypeCenterfire ammunition
Place of originAustria-Hungary
Production history
DesignerFranz Pfannl
Designed1914
ManufacturerKolibri
Produced1914
No. built~1000 (pistol)[1]
Specifications
Case typeRimless, straight
Bullet diameter2.7 mm (0.11 in)
Neck diameter3.5 mm (0.14 in)
Base diameter3.6 mm (0.14 in)
Rim diameter3.6 mm (0.14 in)
Case length9.4 mm (0.37 in)
Overall length11 mm (0.43 in)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/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 [2]

The name is derived from Kolibri, the German word for hummingbird, which is among the smallest of birds.

Background

The cartridge weighs 5.3 grams (82 grains), measures 3.6 millimetres (0.14 in) at its widest point, and 11 millimetres (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 masses 0.2 grams (3 grains), and is estimated to have a normal muzzle velocity of 200 metres per second (660 ft/s), resulting in a muzzle energy of 4 joules (3 ft-lbs).[4] For perspective, an average person's punch measures 10-15 joules, meaning that the round has less energy than a punch.

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 (0.39–1.57 in) 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.[4]

2mm Kolibri pistol; this particular model currently resides
at the Vikharev Arms Private Collections, Saint Petersburg.

Due to the weakness and inaccuracy of the firearm, the 2mm Kolibri was advertised as a ladies' self-defence weapon that was small enough to fit inside a handbag. While probably not effective against a mugger if shot at the chest or limbs, it could potentially inflict some damage if shot at the attacker's face.[5][6] It was discontinued in 1914 with the outbreak of the war.[5]

The 2mm gun was replaced by 3mm and 4mm weapons in the series, which was discontinued in 1938.[5]

As with the related firearm series, this gun is now a collector's item with about 1000 ever produced.[1] It is notable for firing the smallest centerfire cartridge ever produced.[6]

The Kolibri was featured in the 2016 video game Battlefield 1 as a weapon available for all classes.

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kolibri pistol.

References
  1. Ian McCollum (7 July 2016). "Forgotten Weapons: The Smallest Production Pistol Ever Made". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  2. 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
  3. Barnes, Frank C. Cartridges of the World. DBI Books, 1976, p.146
    • Wilson, R. K. Textbook of Automatic Pistols, p.262. Plantersville, SC: Small Arms Technical Publishing Company, 1943.
  5. Simple History (1 September 2018), The Kolibri (Weird Weapons), archived from the original on 13 December 2021, retrieved 2 December 2018
  6. Eger, Chris (4 March 2013). "The 2mm Kolibri: The world's smallest centerfire pistol?". Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2016.

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