HIW VSK

German prototype carbine and battle rfile
HIW VSK
TypeBolt Action Rifle Carbine
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byVolksturm
Production history
DesignerAugust Coenders
Designed1944—1945
ManufacturerHessische Industrie Werke
VariantsWetzlar Rifle
Wetzlar Carbine
Specifications
Cartridge8×57mm IS (Rifle)
8×33mm Kurz (Carbine)
Caliber7.9mm
ActionBolt-action (8x57)
Blow forward (8x33mm)
Feed system5-round internal box magazine.
SightsIron

The HIW VSK refers to 2 prototype weapons, a rifle and a carbine, of German origin developed by Hessische Industrie Werke and August Cöenders in 1944. They were intended as Volkssturm weapons and the carbine variant used blow forward operation.[1][2][3]

Variants

Battle rifle

Chambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser rifle round. It used standard 5-round stripper clips to fill the fixed internal magazine. To operate, the "bolt" handle is actually attached to the barrel, and pushed forward to feed a new round to a fixed bolt and breech face.

Carbine

Also known as Hessische Selbstladekarabiner (transl. self-loading carbine).

Chambered for the 7.92×33mm Kurz round. It used special 5-round stripper clips to fill the fixed internal magazine. The barrel is blown forward by drag of the bullet and propellant gasses and returns under spring pressure, chambering a new cartridge.

References

  1. ^ Sturmgewehr! From Firepower to Striking Power, Hans-Dieter Handrich, ISBN 0-88935-356-5
  2. ^ The German Assault Rifle 1935–1945, Peter R. Senich., ISBN 1581606729
  3. ^ Desperate Measures: The Last-Ditch Weapons of the Nazi Volkssturm, W. Darrin Weaver, ISBN 0-88935-372-7
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Blow forward firearms
Pistols
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  • HIW VSK
Shotguns
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Grenade launchers
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German firearms and light weapons of World War II
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Rifles and carbines
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