Because the serial number prefix itself does not directly spell out the year, you must check for the Hungarian military or police acceptance stamps. These are typically found right next to the serial number on the frame.
Match all three numbers to ensure you have a "collector grade" pistol with original parts. Decoding Serial Number Prefixes
Frequently seen on surplus imports in the United States. feg pa 63 serial number lookup
What is the and the first two digits of your serial number? What caliber is stamped on the slide?
Because FEG moved chronologically through the alphabet ( AA in 1963, AB in 1964/1965, etc.), an A prefix indicates a much earlier production year (1960s to mid-1970s) than a B prefix (late 1970s into the 1980s). Collector Value: What Makes a PA-63 Valuable? Because the serial number prefix itself does not
A common inspection code found on the frame, signifying the part passed quality control at the Budapest factory. Import Marks: A Helpful Clue for Dating
Unlike some manufacturers who used a continuous, easily searchable database, FEG utilized a prefix system to categorize their production runs. A standard FEG PA-63 serial number consists of a (e.g., AN 1234 ). The serial number is typically stamped in two places: On the left side of the frame, just above the grip panel. On the left side of the slide. Decoding Serial Number Prefixes Frequently seen on surplus
Often used on commercial variants chambered in .380 ACP or 7.65mm Browning.
FÉG (Fémáru- Fegyver- és Gépgyár) in Hungary ceased most pistol production years ago. They do not offer public serial number lookup services.
The earliest military production runs started with the prefix in 1963. As production limits were reached for each prefix (usually capped at 9,999 units), FEG cycled to the next letter in alphabetical order. Commercial and Export Prefixes
The most common serial number format seen on standard, Hungarian military-issue PA-63s is a combination of , for example: AY0618 , AD1596 , or HB0796 .