HIW VSK
The HIW VSK were two prototype weapons, a rifle and a carbine, of German origin developed by Röchling Eisen-und Stahlwerke GmbH (Hessische Industrie Werke) and August Coenders in 1944. They were intended as Volkssturm weapons and the carbine variant used blow forward operation.
Also recorded as Heissische Industrie-Werke Volkssturmkarabin | Heissische Industrie-Werk Selbstladekarabiner | Röchling Volkssturmkarabiner | Coenders Volkssturmkarabiner| Volkssturm Experimental Semi Automatic Carbine Cal. 7.92 mm Short
HIW VSK
- Name
- HIW VSK
- Field
- semi-automatic rifle · bolt-action rifle
- Region
- Nazi Germany
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Documentary summary
The HIW VSK were two prototype weapons, a rifle and a carbine, of German origin developed by Röchling Eisen-und Stahlwerke GmbH (Hessische Industrie Werke) and August Coenders in 1944. They were intended as Volkssturm weapons and the carbine variant used blow forward operation.
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In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — HIW VSK • Origin — Nazi Germany • Type — Bolt Action rifle Carbine • Is Ranged — YES • Used By — Volksturm • Designer — August Coenders • Design Date — 1944–1945 • Manufacturer — Röchling Eisen-und Stahlwerke GmbH (Hessische Industrie Werke) • Variants — Wetzlar Rifle Wetzlar Carbine • Cartridge — 8×57mm IS (rifle) 8×33mm Kurz (carbine) • Caliber — 7.9mm • Action — Bolt-action (8x57) Blow forward (8x33mm) • Feed — 5-round internal box magazine. • Sights — Iron sights
Battle rifle
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
Carbine
Also known as Hessische Selbstladekarabiner (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.
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which HIW VSK stands. 7.92 mm Short. Recorded as a kind of semi-automatic rifle.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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