Austrian Pfannl Miniature Rifle, c. 1897-1938

2 mm, Silver & Mahogany with Bayonet & Sling

Yep, that's a quarter. This amazing collectors piece actually shoots 2mm rounds, and is an original Pfannl. Who's Pfannl? We thought you'd never ask, read on...

Also referred to as “Berloque” rifles, this is an excellent example of the Pfannl Mahogany stock rifle as seen in Bob Urso’s “The Tiniest Guns” book, listed as A31 (p. 23.) This working miniature is designed to shoot a specially designed 2 mm cartridge (not included, but still available on the collectors market) or an ordinary cap. This example retains 95% of it’s original finish, and is remarkably free of freckling and blemishes. The serial number “12” is stamped on the silver body of the gun under the stock, and also on the inside of both stock pieces, confirming their originality. Exact manufacturing dates for these rifles are hard to determine, but this working miniature was likely manufactured between WW1 and WW2. The octagonal silver barrel is stamped “Austria” on top, with a matching affixed bayonet and a leather sling. The mahogany stock has a beautiful sheen, but does have one very small chip and light denting throughout. The only visible rust is inside the barrel, near the pivot pin and in the breakopen area, see photos. A collector’s darling, these high quality Austrian rifles are increasingly hard to find, especially in such excellent condition.

​The “Austria” stamp, and matching serial numbers stamped inside the stock, are what lends this miniature rifle such high value. They indicate that this is an original Pfannl model, not a copy by other manufacturers. Pfannl, a Swiss watchmaker, is essentially the “father” of miniature firearms, and is best known for his Kolibri pistols, still the smallest semi-automatic pistol ever made. The following passage is from The Tiniest Guns by Bob Urso, the definitive work on these unique collectors' pieces:
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Berloque or watch fob pistols were first produced in Austria in the late 1890s and continue to be manufactured there to the present day. In all that time, their history has been closely linked to that of Franz Pfannl. Recent research has established that all of the berloques manufactured prior to 1938 - the year the Goebharter company began making berloques - were designs either manufactured by, or licensed for manufacture by Pfannl.

In 1897 Pfannl began producing 2mm, pinfire, berloque pistols and rifles. Many are stamped with FP or PFANNL. His business grew to the point where he had 50 workers, and was manufacturing many mechanical items, including pencils. The Berloques were a big success and soon Pfannl?s factory was producing parts for other manufacturers in Germany and Spain, who would finish the guns with a variety of grips and markings.

From the early 1930s to the second World War, Pfannl created an interesting group of designs, for berloque, blank and Flobert pistols in calibers from 2mm through 6.

He and a friend, George Grabner, who owned a casting plant in Krems, had a plan to market, small, defensive, purse pistols for women. The guns would be loud, to scare off attackers, but would have little power. Grabner became his partner in the marketing of the Kolibri, however, he had no part in its design. The Kolibri is the smallest semi-automatic pistol ever manufactured and is much prized by collectors. The earliest of the berloque pistol was patented by Franz Pfannl on July 24, 1899.