To accurately identify your pistol, document the following attributes:
So, how do you figure it out? You have to use context clues.
: An inspection mark applied during the pre-assembly of major components.
If your date stamp is illegible or missing, your best option is to compare your serial number's two-letter prefix to known examples shared online. Forums like Gunboards.com have extensive threads where users list their serial numbers and visible dates. By finding a pistol with a prefix close to yours and a visible date, you can make an educated guess about your own gun's production year. feg pa 63 serial number lookup
Before you can look anything up, you need to be sure you are looking at the correct number.
For collectors, the "50-year rule" is vital. Pistols with acceptance dates older than 50 years qualify for status, making them easier to transfer for license holders. Summary Reference Table Production Era Manufacturer Name on Slide Common Characteristics 1963–1975 Fémáru és Szerszámgépgyár NV Original military issue, two-tone finish 1975–1990 Fegyver és Gázkészülékgyár (FÉG) Continued military production & export 1990s+ FEG / Various Importers (e.g., KBI, Century) Commercial variants, often all-black frames
If your pistol was imported into the United States, it will have import marks (often subtle, stamped in white or laser-etched) on the frame or slide. To accurately identify your pistol, document the following
The FEG PA 63 is a Hungarian-made semi-automatic pistol that has gained popularity among firearms enthusiasts. One of the key aspects of owning and collecting firearms is verifying their authenticity and history. A crucial step in this process is looking up the serial number of the firearm. In this report, we will provide an overview of the FEG PA 63 and guide you through the process of serial number lookup.
Often feature prefixes starting with B (such as BB, BK, BR ) or A (such as AL, AP ).
During the Cold War, Hungarian manufacturing records (FEG stands for Fémáru Fegyver- és Gépgyár , or Metalware Firearms and Machine Factory) were not digitized for public consumption. When these pistols were imported into the US—primarily by companies like Century Arms International (CAI)—the importers were focused on sales, not historical archiving. If your date stamp is illegible or missing,
: Associated with production around 1983.
In addition to the two-letter/four-digit format, researchers and auction listings have noted a separate series of pistols using a single letter , such as L027303 or L009607 . These are less common than the two-letter variants and generally are believed to represent later export models or specific production batches destined for the commercial market rather than military service. If your pistol has an "L" prefix, it is a clear indicator of a commercial, or at least non-standard military, origin.
Unlike buying a modern Smith & Wesson or Glock, finding the manufacture date of a FEG PA-63 isn't as simple as typing a serial number into a manufacturer's website. Here is your guide to navigating the murky waters of FEG serial number lookups and dating your Hungarian sidearm.
Standard mass production for the Warsaw Pact era.