Arms, Armor and Militaria Online

Lot of assorted Semmerling components and literature including: the Instruction manual issued by Semmerling Corporation, an informative pamphlet issued by Semmerling, and a repair kit containing: blued and nickel side plates, trigger, three striker torsion springs, striker pin, three trigger bars, three extractors, pair of black synthetic grips, assorted springs and pins. Further parts and components for pistols include are seven pairs of spare grips in black synthetic, wood, and imitation ivory finishes, two SEMMERLING CORP marked holsters, one inside waistband, the other outside waistband. Also included are copies of Semmerling ads, fliers, and assorted spare parts. Among the assorted documents are: Semmerling Corporation bulletins Number 1 and 2, photocopy of a letter signed by Lichtmann providing provenance for LM-4, serial number 098, along with the warning not to handload ammunition for the handgun.

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}