Lindcott Armory Pistol · Obsolete
3mm Kolibri
Slightly larger companion to the 2.7mm Kolibri, chambered in a marginally larger vest-pocket pistol.
- Caliber
- 0.12″ · 3.048 mm
- Introduced
- 1914
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Self Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1914
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Austria
- Inventor
- Franz Pfannl
- Manufacturer
- Franz Pfannl
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 0.8 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Centerfire
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 25,000 psi
- Max range
- 20 yd
- Recoil
- 0.1–0.3 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · secondary source| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 3.05 | 0.120 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 3.81 | 0.150 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 3.81 | 0.150 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 3.81 | 0.150 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 0.41 | 0.016 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 8.13 | 0.320 | · |
| Overall length | 10.92 | 0.430 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 3mm Kolibri is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 3 active loads across 3 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sellier & Bellot | Lead Ball Reproduction 3gr | 3 | Lead Ball | 650 | 3 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Lead Ball 3gr | 3 | Lead Ball | 650 | 3 | — |
| Bertram | Lead Ball Reproduction 3gr | 3 | Lead Ball | 650 | 3 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 5 | Lead Round Nose | 800 | 7 | — |
| Graf | Standard | 3 | FMJ | 700 | 3 | — |
| Fiocchi | Heritage Line | 3 | Lead Ball | 700 | 3 | — |
| Hirtenberger | HP Classic | 3 | Lead Ball | 700 | 3 | — |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 3 | Lead Ball | 700 | 3 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
Developed alongside the 2.7mm Kolibri by Franz Pfannl, the 3mm version offered trivially more power in a slightly larger pistol. Both are collector curiosities today; the distinction between the two calibers is primarily academic. Original specimens are extremely rare and command high collector prices.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 3mm Kolibri use?
- 3mm Kolibri typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 3mm Kolibri?
- 3mm Kolibri uses a 0.12″ (3.048 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 3mm Kolibri still in production?
- 3mm Kolibri is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is 3mm Kolibri used for?
- 3mm Kolibri is primarily used for self defense.
Sources & provenance
- StandardSAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — 3mm Kolibri
- StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawingsarchived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 3 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →