EG Mak with Red Grips

[ZRX1200]

Lucky enough to be stationed in Berlin at the time of the collapse, I was luckier still to buy ex-NVA & ex-MdI Mak's at a local gunshop there for about $40 equivalen in early '91. This shopkeeper had literally 55-gallon barrels chock full of these weapons that you could just rummage through. After getting my two pristine examples I turned all my troops and fellow officers onto this insane deal. Now is that a fitting souvenir for members of the Berlin Brigade during those heady days or what? I digress....

Anyway, of the two primo examples I brought back, one was a '63-dated DDR weapon with the typical DDR-pattern grips, but in a red color. I have never seen another one like it. What's up with that? Thanks for any input.

[Gun Toter]

Wow!! You could buy guns in Germany just like that? How hard was it to get them back here to the US? How did the shop get a hold of so many East German guns? Did you get to see many former East German troops or Border Guards? Or were they running like hell? What about the AK's? What happened with those? Please tell us details! This is unbelievably interesting to me. Thanks.

[ZRX1200]

Thank you for your interest. I could tell you a million stories from my times in the former DDR and in West Germany -- all true, but I don't want to burn up band-width. And even today, much remains that can't be discussed openly. Suffice it to say that:

1) Maks were easy to buy because Germans generally didn't want them. GE lawsaid at the time that you could only own two handguns -- with very fewexceptions. If your'e a German citizen, you'd most likely prefer a Sig P-210, a real Colt 1873 Peacemaker, a Hammerli .22 Target pistol, etc. Maks went wanting, pure and simple.

2) ATF Form 6 allowed GI's and their "dependants" over age 21 to bring back two each examples of any particular model that met certain requirements. Maks needed to have either "target grips" or adjustable sights.

3) Did I see many NVA troops? Hah! I ran the refugee camp in Berlin and was responsible for investigating all border incidents during the years just before, during and after the collapse. I had guys come over the wall with MPiK's (really ratty, generally) and PM's (almost as ratty). We turned the weapons over to the command...sure we did...really. Actually, we did...in time. In debriefing these guys, I must say they weren't much to be feared. They had a couple of units tht were fairly tough, the 40th Parachute Regiment in nearby Lehnin and the 9th Special Security Alert Police Company in Potsdam, but that's about it.

4) Brought back a lot of souvenirs -- all legal, thank you very much. Gotta protect that retirement.

[Gun Toter]

Hey thanks for telling some great info. Is it OK if I email you direct? I would love to hear more of your adventures over there.

[ZRX1200]

sure -- what stories can be told.

[hardcorps1775]

by any chance do you have any extra lanyards that go through the hole in the grips??? i'll buy it from you if you do!

[sfc ret]

hardcorps1775 if he doesn't have one try MARAROV.COM there is no additional charge for shipping on any of their products. look under "Replacement and Surplus Grips" they are 3 bucks ea.

http://makarov.com/cart/vitemmak.htm