Lindcott Armory Pistol · Obsolete
4.25mm Liliput
Tiny semi-rimless centerfire cartridge developed for the Erika vest-pocket pistol — one of the smallest functioning semi-automatic pistols ever made.
- Caliber
- 0.1681″ · 4.27 mm
- Introduced
- 1912
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Self Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1912
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- August Menz
- Manufacturer
- August Menz
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 2.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Centerfire
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 25,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 40 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 · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 4.27 | 0.168 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 5.00 | 0.197 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 5.00 | 0.197 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 5.00 | 0.197 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 0.54 | 0.021 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 10.27 | 0.404 | · |
| Overall length | 14.91 | 0.587 | ~ |
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. 4.25mm Liliput 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Arms | Lead Ball Reproduction | 6 | Lead Ball | 900 | 11 | — |
| Bertram | Lead Ball Reproduction | 6 | Lead Ball | 900 | 11 | — |
| Fiocchi | Lead RN | 12 | Lead RN | 650 | 11 | — |
| Franz Pfannl Waffenfabrik | Lead Ball Original | 6 | Lead Ball | 900 | 11 | — |
| Hirtenberger | Lead Ball | 6 | Lead Ball | 900 | 11 | — |
| Kynoch | Lead Ball | 6 | Lead Ball | 900 | 11 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 12 | FMJ | 820 | 18 | — |
| Old Western Scrounger | OWS Heritage | 6 | Lead Ball | 700 | 7 | — |
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
Designed by August Menz for the Menz 'Erika' pistol, introduced around 1912 in Suhl, Germany. The pistol was marketed as a ladies' pocket pistol and key-chain companion. Production was limited to pre-WWI manufacture. Complete examples are very rare; the Erika is considered one of the most charming collector miniature pistols in existence.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 4.25mm Liliput use?
- 4.25mm Liliput typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 4.25mm Liliput?
- 4.25mm Liliput uses a 0.1681″ (4.27 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 4.25mm Liliput still in production?
- 4.25mm Liliput is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is 4.25mm Liliput used for?
- 4.25mm Liliput is primarily used for self defense.
Sources & provenance
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 →