Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

HELP NEEDED IDENTIFYING A PISTOL

gearheaddad
I just acquired a pistol that I'd like to learn a little about if anyone is familiar with it.
It is a double action semi-auto pistol blued almost black with plastic grips. And on the front of the handle strap it's marked " ERNST THAELMAN MOD M 9mm IACO SACCA GERMANY"
It also has"K100 BX3252 and some other proof marks.
Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance, ED

Ed Konopasek
0

Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Without photos it is hard to give a definitive answer. From your description, my WAG is your pistol is a East German Makarov.

    Ernst Thaelman was a communist functionary, who East Germany named there principal arms factory for.

    Chances are it's chambered for the 9mm Makarov cartridge. Although it's possible it's been rebarreled for .380.

    luger_4.jpg
    0
  • gearheaddad
    Thanks. I'll take some photos and post.
    ED

    Ed Konopasek
    0
  • chorkie
    East Germany
    The Ernst Thaelman factory in Suhl, Thueringen made what are considered by some to be the finest pre-fall-of-the-Berlin Wall Makarovs. The finish is nice, the fit and machining is of quality you'd expect from a German shop, and they shoot like a dream. Almost all that came into this country had already seen service, so their quality varies by how they were treated by the person who carried them. Nonetheless, most have more holster wear than bore wear. They occasionally still pop up at dealers and at gun shows. If you can get them for a good price, these are the ones to buy.


    Markings on them include a letter 'y' with a circle of dots, which some Russian folks think stands for for uchebneii or "training". This would be strange for a German pistol, but we haven't heard any other explanations.

    Note that this table is not complete and there appears to be a sequential pattern, so don't panic if yours doesn't fit into the ones listed.



    East German production codes
    (not a complete list)

    Production year Letter Code
    1958 S
    1959 J,K,L,N,U
    1960 B,F,G,H,M,T
    1961 AP*,AR,AS,AQ,AT,AU,AV,AW,AX,AY,AZ
    1962 BR,BT,BU,BV,BW,BX,BY,BZ
    1963 DA,DB,DE,DF,DH,DK,DL,DP(BO,BP)
    1964 ES,ET,EV,EX,EZ
    1965


    Image005.jpgkoovie.jpg
    What planet are YOU from?
    0
  • gearheaddad
    Thanks for all the information Chorkie. In excellent condition with no holster wear what would you estimate the value to be?
    Thanks again, Ed

    Ed Konopasek
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity