2 mm 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, 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.
2 mm Kolibri

Undefined · This file was derived from: 3mm Kolibri dimensions.jpg · Public domain
- Name
- 2.7mm Kolibri
- Field
- pistol cartridge
- Period
- 2 mm Kolibri was established or created in 1914.
- Region
- Austria–Hungary
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
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.
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wikidata · Q222891
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — 2.7mm Kolibri • Origin — Austria-Hungary • Type — Centerfire ammunition • Designer — Franz Pfannl • Design Date — 1914 • Manufacturer — Kolibri • Production Date — 1914 • Number — ~1000 (pistol) • Is Si Specs — yes • Case Type — Rimless, straight • Bullet — 2.7 mm • Neck — 3.5 mm • Base — 3.6 mm • Rim Dia — 3.6 mm • Case Length — 9.4 mm • Length — 11 mm • Is Si Ballistics — yes • Bwunit — gram • Bw1 — 0.2 • Btype1 — FMJ • Vel1 — 200 • En1 — 4 • Balsrc — Cartridges of the World
Background
Background
The cartridge weighs 5.3 grams (82 grains), measures 3.6 mm at its widest point, and 11 mm 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 m/s, 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 10 - 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. 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. It was discontinued in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I. The 2mm gun was replaced by 3mm and 4mm weapons in the series, which was discontinued in 1938. As with the related firearm series, this gun is now a collector's item with about a thousand ever produced. It is notable for firing the smallest centerfire cartridge ever produced.
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Austria–Hungary
Country
2 mm Kolibri is associated with Austria–Hungary.
Country
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Ian McCollum. Forgotten Weapons: The Smallest Production Pistol Ever Made. July 7, 2016.
- 2.Chris Eger. The 2mm Kolibri: The world’s smallest centerfire pistol?. guns.com. 03/04/2013.
- 3.La cartouche est la plus petite munition au monde, et est également utilisée par le .
- 4.Textbook of automatic pistols. Wolfe Pub. Co. 1990. 0-935632-89-1.
- 5.À comparer, par exemple, avec les 490 joules d'une munition 9 × 19 mm Parabellum.
Bibliography printed in the source article · 1
- Le monde fascinant des armes à feu modernes. Éditions Gründ. 1979. 2-7000-5402-4.
References
Citations
References
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Unverified
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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