Feg Pa 63 Serial Number Lookup -

Before diving into serial numbers, it helps to understand what the PA-63 is. Produced by Fegyver- és Gépgyár (Arms and Machine Factory) in Budapest, the PA-63 was adopted by the Hungarian People's Army and Police in 1963 as a replacement for the earlier WWII-era pistols. It is a direct descendant of the Walther PP (Polizeipistole) design but with several key differences:

The PA-63 remained in service through the late 1980s, and after the fall of the Iron Curtain, thousands were imported into the United States and Western Europe as military surplus.

The FEg PA-63 is a Hungarian-made semi-automatic pistol, a licensed domestic copy of the CZ 70/82 family. Produced by FEG (Fegyver- és Gépgyár) primarily during the Cold War and into the post-Soviet era, it was marketed internationally as a compact, blowback-operated 9×18mm Makarov (PA-63) and .32 ACP (PA-63 variant) service/recreational pistol. It became common in military and police service in Eastern Bloc and allied countries and later circulated widely on civilian markets worldwide.

Experienced collectors on forums like:

…often maintain user‑submitted serial number lists. You can post your serial prefix and ask for estimated dating.

Unlike some military firearms, FEG did not maintain a simple, publicly available year-by-year serial number decoder. However, collectors and enthusiasts have developed general guidelines based on observed serial ranges and known import batches.

Provide a clear photo of the frame/slide markings and the serial number text (or type the exact serial and any other stamps shown). I will:

(Note: I won’t access or post any law-enforcement databases; for theft or legal status checks, contact local authorities.)

FEG PA 63 Serial Number Lookup: A Comprehensive Guide

The FEG PA 63 is a semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured in Hungary during the Cold War era. It is a variant of the Soviet-designed Makarov pistol, but with some notable differences. The FEG PA 63 was exported to various countries, including the United States, and has gained a reputation among firearms enthusiasts for its reliability and affordability.

If you're a collector or owner of a FEG PA 63, you may be interested in learning more about your pistol's history and production details. One way to do this is by looking up the serial number, which can provide valuable information about the pistol's manufacture date, production batch, and other relevant data.

In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to perform a FEG PA 63 serial number lookup, including the location of the serial number, decoding the serial number, and resources for verifying the information. feg pa 63 serial number lookup

Location of the Serial Number

The serial number on a FEG PA 63 is typically located on the frame of the pistol, near the front of the grip. It is usually stamped or engraved and consists of a combination of letters and numbers. The serial number may also be found on other parts of the pistol, such as the slide or the barrel, but the frame is the most common location.

Decoding the Serial Number

The FEG PA 63 serial number is usually composed of two or three parts:

The prefix and suffix can provide valuable information about the pistol's production history. For example, some FEG PA 63 pistols have a prefix of "AP," which indicates that they were produced for the Hungarian military. Others may have a prefix of "PA," which indicates that they were produced for export.

The serial number itself can be used to determine the manufacture date of the pistol. FEG PA 63 pistols were produced from 1963 to 1985, and the serial numbers were assigned in a specific range during each production year.

FEG PA 63 Serial Number Range

Here is a rough estimate of the FEG PA 63 serial number range by production year:

Keep in mind that these are approximate ranges and may not be entirely accurate. Additionally, some FEG PA 63 pistols may have been produced with non-standard serial numbers or with serial numbers that were not recorded.

Resources for FEG PA 63 Serial Number Lookup

There are several resources available for performing a FEG PA 63 serial number lookup: Before diving into serial numbers, it helps to

Verification and Authentication

When performing a FEG PA 63 serial number lookup, it's essential to verify and authenticate the information. Here are some tips:

Conclusion

Performing a FEG PA 63 serial number lookup can provide valuable information about the pistol's history and production details. By understanding the location and decoding of the serial number, and using resources such as factory records, firearms databases, and collector communities, you can verify and authenticate the information.

Whether you're a collector, owner, or enthusiast, knowing more about your FEG PA 63 pistol can enhance your appreciation and understanding of this iconic firearm.

Finding the exact manufacturing date for an using a serial number is difficult because FEG did not maintain a public, comprehensive database. However, you can estimate the date and variant based on specific markings and serial number formats. Serial Number Locations and Formats

Locations: Check the left side of the frame (between the trigger and grip panel), the slide, and the magazine butt.

Standard Military Format: Typically consists of two letters followed by four numbers (e.g., L0585XX).

Variant 4 Configuration: Later models (roughly 1990–2000) may feature a one-letter, six-digit serial number. Key Markings for Dating

Acceptance Marks: Look for a small Hungarian crest with a two-digit number. This number indicates the year the pistol was accepted for service. For example, a crest with "86" indicates 1986.

Import Markings: Many PA-63s in the U.S. were imported by Century Arms or Interarms after 1990. The importer's stamp on the slide can help narrow down when the gun arrived in the country, though not necessarily when it was built. The PA-63 remained in service through the late

C&R Status: Firearms with acceptance dates over 50 years old qualify as Curio & Relic (C&R) items. Visual Identification by Variant Likely Timeframe Bright/Polished Frame 1963–1990s Early models used a bright titanium-aluminum alloy frame. Blued Frame

Later production and commercial models often had blued alloy frames. No Thumb Rest Early Production

The original military design featured flat grip panels without a thumb rest. Left Thumb Rest Late/Imported

Most surplus models imported to the U.S. include a thumb rest on the left grip. Common Pitfalls

Mixed Parts: Because FEG sometimes rebuilt older pistols into PA-63s, you might see acceptance dates (like "47" or "59") that are older than the PA-63's actual 1963 start date.

Confusing Models: Ensure your serial lookup isn't for a similar clone; the commercial AP-63 is often in .380 ACP or .32 ACP, while the military PA-63 is typically chambered in 9x18mm Makarov.

Does your pistol have a two-tone finish or a fully blued frame? This distinction often helps separate military surplus from later commercial exports. PA-63 Hungarian Weapons Femaru FEG Pistols

Since no official database exists, use these community-driven resources:

Do not use generic "serial number lookup" websites – they are designed for modern firearms from companies like Glock or Ruger, and will not recognize FEG’s format.

Before attempting any lookup, you must locate the serial number(s). On an authentic FEG PA-63, serial numbers are stamped in at least three locations:

| Location | Description | |----------|-------------| | Right side of the frame | Above the trigger guard, near the magazine release. This is the primary serial number. | | Right side of the slide | Directly above the frame serial number (should match). | | Barrel hood | Visible through the ejection port when the slide is locked back. |

Important: If these numbers do not match, the pistol is a "mixmaster" – assembled from parts of different guns. This significantly reduces collector value.

The serial number format typical of PA-63 pistols: Two letters followed by four or five digits (e.g., AB 1234 or CD 56789). Some post-1980 models use three letters + four digits.