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HIW VSK

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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 Coenders in 1944. They were intended as Volkssturm weapons and the carbine variant used blow forward operation.[1][2][3]

Variants

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Battle rifle

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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

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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

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  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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