Here’s another stunning saw from Tom Gray’s collection: it’s the STIHL 045 AVEK 2 Bundeswehr.
Although its ID plate simply says “Type 045 AVEK,” the NATO stock number, later 056-style construction and build date (1985) identify it as the second-generation military version, which is based on the civilian STIHL 056 AVEQ.
The AVEK 2 followed the original 045-based AVEK 1 and was later replaced by the 064-based AVEK 3. With its army-green finish, BUND identification plate and largely complete military transport kit, Tom’s saw is an excellent surviving example of the 056-based STIHL 045 AVEK 2.
STIHL 045 AVEK 2
As you’ll see below, Tom’s saw retains much of its original Bundeswehr transport kit.
The wooden chest is marked “Säge, Ketten-,” meaning chainsaw, and carries a gross packed weight of 40 kilograms. Inside are dedicated compartments for the 20-inch guide bar, fuel and oil cans, spare chains, wedges, sharpening tools, manuals and other accessories.
The crate is dated 6-86, while the saw itself was built in 1985, suggesting the complete outfit was packed or issued the following year. The visible wear on the bar and saw indicates that this example likely saw genuine service rather than remaining unused in storage.
The EWA 6-86 stamp inside the lid likely dates the chest or its packing to June 1986, so the box appears to have been prepared after the saw itself was manufactured.
Below that, “Achtung! Transportkiste stets trocken lagern!” translates as: “Warning! Always store the transport chest in a dry place.”
The ID plate on the saw reads:
BUND
2805-12-305-6027
Type 045 AVEK
Nr. 15217624
Baujahr 1985
Andreas Stihl
Waiblingen
This translates or means:
BUND — German federal property; here, Bundeswehr equipment.
2805-12-305-6027 — NATO Stock Number for this military chainsaw type.
Type 045 AVEK — military model designation; anti-vibration, electronic ignition and chain brake.
Nr. 15217624 — the individual saw’s serial number.
Baujahr 1985 — manufactured in 1985.
Andreas Stihl, Waiblingen — made by STIHL in Waiblingen, West Germany.
Civilian STIHL 056 AVEQ specifications:
- Displacement: 81 cc / 4.94 cu in
- Power: approximately 5.6 hp / 4.2 kW
- Bore: 52 mm / 2.05 in
- Stroke: 38 mm / 1.50 in
- Engine: Single-cylinder, two-stroke
- Ignition: Breakerless electronic magneto
- Powerhead weight: approximately 8.3 kg / 18.3 lb
- Weight with 15-inch bar and chain: 9.5 kg / 20.9 lb
- Guide-bar range: 15–25 inches
- Chain pitch: 3/8 inch
- Sprocket: Seven-tooth
- Fuel capacity: 0.82 L
- Oil capacity: 0.36 L
- Oiler: Automatic and adjustable
- Chain brake: STIHL Quickstop
The designation means AV for anti-vibration, E for electronic ignition and Q for Quickstop chain brake. The AVEQ was therefore the closest civilian equivalent to the Bundeswehr 045 AVEK 2.
The wooden chest is marked:
SÄGE, KETTEN-
3695-12-164-9986
BRUTTO 40 kg
Säge, Ketten- means “chain saw,” while Brutto 40 kg means the complete packed kit had a gross weight of 40 kilograms, or about 88 pounds. The crate’s number differs from the saw’s 2805-12-305-6027 because the chest identifies the complete chainsaw outfit, while the plate identifies the power unit itself.
The kit retains fuel and oil cans, several spare chains, felling tools or wedges, sharpening equipment, a spare Bosch spark plug, manuals, a padlock and other small tools.
The saw is green, through and through.
The chainsaw is marked with the 1115-series part number, a STIHL series that included both the 045 and 056.
It’s a fantastic piece of history — thanks to Tom for sharing it with us.
