Summary
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]
| HIW VSK | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bolt Action Rifle Carbine |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Volksturm |
| Production history | |
| Designer | August Coenders |
| Designed | 1944—1945 |
| Manufacturer | Hessische Industrie Werke |
| Variants | Wetzlar Rifle Wetzlar Carbine |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 8×57mm IS (Rifle) 8×33mm Kurz (Carbine) |
| Caliber | 7.9mm |
| Action | Bolt-action (8x57) Blow forward (8x33mm) |
| Feed system | 5-round internal box magazine. |
| Sights | Iron |
Variants edit
Battle rifle edit
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 edit
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.