Our friend Alex on eBay has listed this STIHL 045 AVEK BUND Chainsaw for sale on eBay.
This is a first-generation 045 AVEK, commonly called the “045 AVEK 1,” and it is based on the civilian STIHL 045 AVE/AVEQ platform, unlike the later 045 AVEK 2 and 3.
BUND means the saw was German federal property, in this case issued through or associated with the Bundeswehr (unified armed forces of Germany) rather than being a civilian machine.
STIHL 045 AVEK
Here’s the listing description:
Original, rare STIHL 045 AVEK military-spec (Bundeswehr) chainsaw
For sale is an original, rare military-spec Stihl 045 AVEK chainsaw in excellent mechanical condition.
The machine has been fully serviced, with a new carburetor diaphragm and a new fuel filter installed. The chain brake and oiling system both work perfectly. It is ready to use immediately. A reliable, powerful, classic professional saw that is an excellent choice for both collectors and serious users.
- New original STIHL sprocket nose guide bar
- New 3/8″ STIHL chain
- Very good mechanical condition
Considering its age, the saw is in excellent condition, with a strong engine and dependable operation. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.
The asking price is US $1,290.00.
Information plate
The plate states:
BUND
2805-12-165-4744
Type 045 AVEK
Nr. 4175906 Baujahr 1977
Andreas Stihl
Waiblingen
And here’s what it all means.
BUND
Literal translation: “Federal government” or “Federation.”
On equipment plates, BUND indicates that the item was procured or held as German federal property. In this context, it is associated with the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Strictly speaking, BUND is not an abbreviation of Bundeswehr. It refers more broadly to the German federal government.
2805-12-165-4744
This is the saw’s 13-digit NATO Stock Number, known in German as a NATO-Versorgungsnummer.
It breaks down as follows:
- 2805 — NATO/Federal Supply Class for gasoline reciprocating engines and components, except aircraft. The saw or its powerhead was catalogued in this engine category.
- 12 — National Codification Bureau code for Germany.
- 165-4744 — the seven-digit item-identification portion. It has no descriptive meaning by itself; combined with the German code 12, it uniquely identifies this particular standardized supply item.
This is not the individual saw’s serial number. Every military saw catalogued under that same supply item could carry the same number.
The number has also appeared in military supply records as a chainsaw or powered-unit identification.
Type 045 AVEK
This is the official military type designation.
- 045 — the designated model or procurement family.
- AV — Antivibration, meaning an anti-vibration handle system.
- E — Elektronik or elektronische Zündung, meaning electronic ignition.
- K — normally interpreted by collectors and parts catalogues as Kettenbremse, meaning chain brake.
The expansion commonly given is therefore:
Anti-Vibration – Electronic ignition – Chain brake
The plate does not say “AVEK 1.” The “AVEK-1” name is used in later parts catalogues and by collectors to separate this original version from the AVEK 2, 3 and later generations.
Nr. 4175906
Nr. is short for the German word Nummer.
Translation: “No.” or “Number.”
The stamped number 4175906 is the individual machine’s serial number. Unlike the NATO Stock Number 2805-12-165-4744, which identifies the standardized equipment type, this number identifies this particular chainsaw.
Baujahr 1977
- Baujahr — literally “construction year” or “year built.”
- 1977 — the saw was manufactured in 1977.
This dates it to the original 045-based generation.
Andreas Stihl
This identifies the manufacturer.
It does not merely name Andreas Stihl personally; it represents the company operating under the founder’s name. Andreas Stihl established the business in 1926.
Waiblingen
Waiblingen is the German city where STIHL’s headquarters and major production operations were located.
STIHL transferred its production to Waiblingen after the Second World War, and the town became the company headquarters in 1948.
