This olive-drab STIHL 045 AVEK 3 belongs to chainsaw collector Tom Gray. Its identification plate gives a build year of 1988, placing it among the third generation of STIHL chainsaws supplied for German federal and Bundeswehr service.
Despite retaining the 045 AVEK name, the AVEK 3 was not based on the civilian STIHL 045. The original model, now commonly called the AVEK 1, used the 045 platform; the AVEK 2 was based on the later STIHL 056; and the AVEK 3 was effectively the military counterpart of the STIHL 064 AVEQ. The Bundeswehr retained the established 045 AVEK procurement name while STIHL updated the underlying chainsaw.
STIHL 045 AVEK 3
These are the specifications of the civilian STIHL 064 on which the AVEK 3 was based:
- Displacement: 85 cc / 5.18 cu in
- Power: 4.8 kW / approximately 6.4 hp
- Bore: 52 mm / 2.05 in
- Stroke: 40 mm / 1.57 in
- Powerhead weight: approximately 7.1 kg / 15.7 lb
- Common chain pitch: 3/8 inch
- Civilian guide-bar range: approximately 16–36 inches
German federal-surplus listings describe the AVEK 3 as producing 4.8 kW at 7,500 rpm, with some examples specified for a 500 mm cutting length, roughly equivalent to a 20-inch bar.
The AVEK 3 looks much like a standard 064 because, mechanically, that is essentially what it is.
The visible military differences include its olive-drab finish, black BUND plate, NATO Stock Number and “Type 045 AVEK 3” designation. Tom’s saw has a large chain-brake guard and substantial dual bumper spikes, although similar equipment could also be fitted to civilian 064 variants.
The orange starter badge still says “Made in West Germany,” which agrees with the plate’s 1988 manufacturing date.
Information plate
The plate reads:
BUND
2805-12-309-7428
Type 045 AVEK 3
Nr. 179513706 (best I can make out)
Baujahr 1988
Andreas Stihl
Waiblingen
BUND indicates German federal ownership or procurement; in this case, the saw was associated with the Bundeswehr.
2805-12-309-7428 is the 13-digit NATO Stock Number for the standardized military supply item. It identifies the equipment type, not this individual saw.
Type 045 AVEK 3 identifies it as the third-generation AVEK. AVEK is generally understood as anti-vibration, electronic ignition and Kettenbremse—German for chain brake.
Nr. means Nummer and introduces the individual serial number. The stamping is extremely faint in the photograph and appears to be something close to 179513706.
Baujahr 1988 means “year built: 1988,” while Andreas Stihl, Waiblingen identifies the manufacturer and its German location.
The additional stencil, “Wi-Nr. 4191-20,” was probably a later military inventory or unit number rather than part of STIHL’s factory model identification.
Check out more of Tom Gray’s collection here.
