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Volkssturmgewehr
The Volkssturmgewehr, like the Volksgewehr, is a series of prototype rifles/carbines. Unlike the Volksgewehr which is a bolt-action rifle/carbine, the Volksturmgewehr is a semi-automatic rifle/carbine. Both projects were part of the "Primitiv-Waffen" program. The most famous and widely recognizable was Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr to which all the names are attributed. It is worth remembering, however, that the carbine was not the only semi-automatic prototype of this program. The Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr itself had two models. Designated MP507 and its modernized version is MP508. Additionally, it is worth mentioning the Wetzlar Carbine (HIW VSK) weapon, which was also semi-automatic.
Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr MP507
The Volkssturmgewehr was designed by Karl Barnitzke of the Gustloff-Werke during the final stages of World War II. It was a part of the Primitiv-Waffen-Programm, and was intended to provide a semi-automatic rifle to the Volksstrum - the militia raised to defend German cities from the allied forces. The rifle was hastily designed and constructed, and was meant to provide a crude but relatively cheap rifle that could be manufactured quickly and easily. The result was a gas-blowback operated rifle firing the 7.92×33mm Kurz, and utilizing Sturmgewehr 44 30-round magazines. The weapon featured fixed front and rear iron sights. The first production model was designated as the MP507. A second model, designated as MP508, added a semi-pistol stock and forward grip, but apparently it was produced only in very small quantities.
The weapon is also sometimes known as the "Volkssturmgewehr 1-5" (or "VG 1-5"), a name that was believed to have originated as a misnomer. The Primitiv-Waffen-Programm resulted in five other bolt action rifle designs, VG 1 from Walther (VG in these cases standing for Volksgewehr), VG 2 from Spreewerk Berlin, VG 3 from Rheinmetall, VG 4 from Mauser, and VG 5 from Steyr. Collectively, they become VG 1-5, and a few misconceptions later the name was stuck to the Gustloff weapon.
Rumors claimed that an automatic assault rifle version of the Volkssturmgewehr exists; there does not appear to be any actual evidence supporting this claim however, and this claim may have been a misinterpretation of the name Volkssturmgewehr as representing "Volks-sturmgewehr" (lit. "people-assault rifle") rather than "Volkssturm-gewehr" (lit. "Volkssturm-rifle")
Specifications
(1944 - 1945)
- Type: Semi-Automatic Rifle, Assault Rifle (experimental models of disputed existence)
- Caliber: 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Weight: 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)
- Length: 34.8 in (88.5 cm)
- Barrel Length: 14.9 in (37.8 cm)
- Feed System: 30-round detachable box magazine
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto (Select fire on experimental models of disputed existence)
The Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr MP507 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forgotten Hope 2 | "Volksgewehr 45" | 2007 | ||
| Fallout 4 | "Radium Rifle" | Modified with (mostly fictional) circuitry/sci-fi components, full-auto conversion. Accepts magazine, receiver, barrel and stock upgrades | Added in Far Harbor DLC, incorrectly chambers .45 Auto, fires irradiated bullets, incorrectly holds 40 rounds in 30-round magazine | 2015 |
| Call of Duty: WWII | "Volkssturmgewehr" | Fires in full-auto; added in an update "The Resistance" in 2018 | 2017 | |
| Battlefield V | "Gewehr 1-5" | Semi-auto | 2018 | |
| Fallout 76 | "Radium Rifle" | Modified with (mostly fictional) circuitry/sci-fi components, full-auto conversion. Accepts magazine, receiver, barrel and stock upgrades | Incorrectly chambers .45 Auto, fires irradiated bullets | 2018 |
| Call of Duty: Vanguard | "Volkssturmgewehr" | Can be incorrectly modified with 7.62x25mm magazines | Magazine is visually thicker, fires in full-auto | 2021 |
| Enlisted | Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr MP507 | 2021 |
Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr MP508
The MP508 variant has a stock profiled for a pistol grip and a vertical handle on the front grip. It is practically identical in technical terms to its original. It is believed that it was with this version that they experimented with the selective firing option.
Specifications
(1944 - 1945)
- Type: Semi-Automatic Rifle, Assault Rifle (experimental models of disputed existence)
- Caliber: 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Weight: 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)
- Length: 34.8 in (88.5 cm)
- Barrel Length: 14.9 in (37.8 cm)
- Feed System: 30-round detachable box magazine
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto (Select fire on experimental models of disputed existence)
The Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr MP508 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battlefield V | "Sturmgewehr 1-5" | Select fire variants | 2018 |
Wetzlar Carbine
The Wetzlar Carbine is a variant of the Wetzlar Rifle. The original rifle was chambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge and was a bolt-action rifle. The carbine variant was chambered for the 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge and was a semi-automatic weapon. 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.
Other known names for this project are: Hessische Industrie Werke VolksSturmKarabiner (HIW VSK) & Hessische Selbstladekarabiner.
Specifications
(late 1944 and early 1945)
- Type: Semi-Auto carbine
- Caliber: 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Feed System: integral 5 round mag.
The Wetzlar Carbine and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors: