Arms, Armor and Militaria

.45 ACP. 3.5" barrel length. SN: 339. Nickel plated finish overall mounting smooth walnut grip panels and matted front ramp and low-profile rear notch sights. Detachable magazine fed manually cycled repeating pistol with manually engaged lock to right frame and DAO trigger. Maker marks to left slide read MOD. LM-4/PATENTS PENDING forward of cocking serrations and SEMMERLING CORP./BOSTON, MASS. behind serrations. Right slide marked CAL.45 ACP over chamber and STD. MIL. SPEC. CTG. ONLY over serial number to right muzzle.

Designed by Philip R. Lichtmann and patented in 1977, the Semmerling LM-4 pistol was offered for sale beginning in 1979 as a large caliber backup gun for the discerning buyer. Despite its outward appearance, the handgun is manually cycled either by grasping the slide with the supporting hand or by flicking the weapon aggressively in the event the user must rely on only one hand. Though unorthodox, this method of operation permitted the handgun to be produced in an extraordinarily compact size for its caliber. From the top of the rear sight to the base of the magazine floorplate, the pistol measures 3.75 inches. At approximately 5.25" in length, the handgun offered a .45 ACP weapon in a package small enough for ankle carry.

Despite these advantages, the pistol's method of operation remained slower than a contemporary double-action revolver. Paired with its exceptional cost of $645 (Approximately $2,470 as of 2025), this unorthodox pistol failed to achieve great market success. Approximately 600 examples were produced in total, rendering it a rare and fascinating development in subcompact carry technology. {MODERN}