2 mm Kolibri

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= 2.7 mm Kolibri


caption= Kolibri Pistol, 2.7 mm and .45 ACP cartridge
origin=flag|Austria-Hungary
type= Pistol
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer= Franz Pfannl
design_date=1914
manufacturer=Kolibri
production_date=1914
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=yes
parent=
case_type=Rimless, straight
bullet=2.7
neck=3.5
shoulder=
base=3.6
rim_dia=3.6
rim_thick=
case_length=9.4
length=11.0
rifling=
primer=
is_SI_ballistics=yes
bwunit=gram
bw1=0.2
btype1=FMJ
vel1=210
en1=4.5
bw2=
btype2=
vel2=
en2=
bw3=
btype3=
vel3=
en3=
bw4=
btype4=
vel4=
en4=
bw5=
btype5=
vel5=
en5=
test_barrel_length=
balsrc= Cartridges of the World ["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] The 2 mm Kolibri (also known as the 2.7 mm Kolibri Car Pistol or 2.7x9 mm Kolibri) is the smallest commercially available centerfire cartridge, [Barnes, Frank C. Cartridges of the World. DBI Books, 1976, p.146] 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 a self-defense weapon.

Background

The cartridge weighed 5.3 grams (82 grains) , measured 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 bullet itself weighed 0.2 g (3 grains), and was estimated to have a normal muzzle velocity of 200 m/s (650 fpsm/s), resulting in a muzzle energy 4.0 joules (3 foot-pounds).

The round was not accepted overly well. The 2 mm Kolibri's small size made handling and loading individual cartridges difficult, and the bullet itself was fairly weak, literature at the time suggesting the round was capable of penetrating only 10-40 mm (0.5 to 1.5 inches) of pine board. The round also suffered 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.

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

The cartridge (and related firearm series) is now a collector's item, with individual rounds going for over 70 United States dollars. Original guns for this round can sell for $5000 USD.Fact|date=September 2007

ee also

*List of handgun cartridges
*2 mm caliber
*Table of pistol and rifle cartridges by year

References