The 2mm Kolibri (also known as the 2.7mm Kolibri Car Pistol or 2.7×9mm Kolibri) was the smallest commercially available centerfire cartridge, 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, but somewhat underpowered.
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 at its widest point, and 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 , resulting in a muzzle energy of 4 joules (3 ft-lbs). For perspective, an average person's punch measures 10-15 joules (7-11 ft-lbs), 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 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. It is notable for firing the smallest centerfire cartridge ever produced.
See also
- List of handgun cartridges
- 2 mm caliber
- Table of handgun and rifle cartridges
References
External links
- Original Austrian Patent No. 45314