1964 East German Makarov (Ernst Thälmann) – 9x18mm w/ 5 Mags & Holster
Among Cold War military surplus collectors, the East German Makarov is widely considered the absolute crown jewel of the Makarov family. Manufactured behind the Iron Curtain at the famous VEB Fahrzeug- und Jagdwaffenwerk “Ernst Thälmann” plant in Suhl, these pistols are legendary for possessing a level of craftsmanship, fit, and finish that vastly exceeds their Russian, Bulgarian, and Chinese counterparts.
Produced in 1964, this specific pistol showcases the spectacular, deep high-polish bluing and incredibly smooth trigger pull that earned the East German variants their prestigious reputation. Chambered in the snappy and effective 9x18mm Makarov cartridge, this pistol is not only a fantastic piece of 20th-century communist bloc history but also an incredibly reliable and capable shooter. Offered as an outstanding complete package featuring an impressive five magazines, a traditional leather flap holster, and a soft case, this is a blue-chip addition to any serious military surplus collection.
Product Specifications
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Manufacturer: Ernst Thälmann Plant (Suhl, East Germany / GDR)
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Model: Makarov (PM)
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Year of Manufacture: 1964
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Caliber: 9x18mm Makarov (Note: This is NOT interchangeable with 9x19mm Luger or .380 ACP)
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Action: Double-Action / Single-Action (DA/SA) Blowback
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Capacity: 8 Rounds (Single-stack magazine)
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Barrel Length: 3.68 inches (Fixed to the frame for inherent accuracy)
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Sights: Fixed front blade with a drift-adjustable rear notch.
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Grips: Classic East German checkered polymer/bakelite grips featuring the traditional lanyard loop.
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Safety: Slide-mounted manual safety that acts as a hammer decocker.
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Finish: Deep, high-polish factory carbon steel bluing.
Condition Report
This 1964 East German Makarov is a gorgeous, previously owned surplus pistol. It displays the expected minor cosmetic character of a Cold War sidearm, but has been exceptionally well-preserved and remains mechanically flawless.
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Finish: Retains approximately 90-95% of its original, highly polished commercial-grade bluing. There is typical, light holster wear (minor silvering) at the very tip of the muzzle and along the sharp leading edges of the slide. You may find scattered, superficial handling marks, but there is absolutely no deep rust or heavy pitting. The Suhl factory proof marks, the distinctive “K100” inspection stamp, and the 1964 date code are all sharply struck and clearly visible.
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Bore: Excellent. The fixed barrel features a brilliantly bright bore with sharp, pronounced rifling. It shows no signs of corrosive ammunition neglect or heavy fouling.
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Grips: The factory grips are in very good shape. The checkering remains sharp for a secure hold, and there are no structural cracks or major chips.
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Mechanics: The action on this pistol is superb. East German Makarovs are famous for their triggers, and this one does not disappoint—the double-action pull is remarkably smooth, and the single-action break is crisp. The slide-mounted decocker drops the hammer safely and securely, and the slide stop engages exactly as designed.
Included Accessories
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Magazines: Includes a very impressive lot of five (5) 8-round steel 9x18mm magazines, ensuring you have plenty of capacity for range days without constantly reloading.
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Holster: Comes with a vintage, Cold War-era brown leather military flap holster.
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Storage: Ships in a generic padded soft zipper case for safe transport and storage.
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Note: This listing includes the pistol, holster, case, and 5 magazines. There is no original cardboard factory box or paperwork included.
