What came after the East German Makarov?
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The Makarov PM was the standard service pistol in the GDR until it collapsed in 1991.
No doubt the Stasi and any other special services used other handguns but the Mak was the only standard issue. After production was complete in 1965 the Ernst Thaelmann factory retained the tooling and a large supply of parts which were later used, circa 1997, to make the Simpson-Suhl Makarovs.
No doubt the Stasi and any other special services used other handguns but the Mak was the only standard issue. After production was complete in 1965 the Ernst Thaelmann factory retained the tooling and a large supply of parts which were later used, circa 1997, to make the Simpson-Suhl Makarovs.
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I'll bet that when Germany was reunified on 03 October 1990 that the Makarov stayed on in service with the Bundeswehr when it (the Bundeswehr) expanded into what is today territory of the former GDR. I know that AK's did so the Makarovs probably did too meaning that its service life reached into at least the early 1990's. The police in the five newly formed Federal States definitely used the Makarov into the early 1990's.
What I've often wondered is: How many Makarov pistols were actually produced in the GDR from the late 50's up until 1965? I've never seen a figure for that. Anyone know?
What I've often wondered is: How many Makarov pistols were actually produced in the GDR from the late 50's up until 1965? I've never seen a figure for that. Anyone know?
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