Heldenheim Pattern Bolt Rifles

Heldenheim pattern Heavy Bolt Rifle

### **Designer**

Heldenheim Mechanicus, based on the schematics of the Niveran pattern Bolt Rifle

### Manufacturer

HeldenheimHeidronard (using gifted blueprints)

## Specifications

### Firing rate

320 rpm

*Feel free to utilise this weapon in your articles. If you let me know I will add them to the notable users list.*

The **Heldenheim Pattern Bolt Rifles** are a potent and unique pattern of Astartes Heavy Bolt Rifles designed by the Tech-Adepts of the Forge World Heldenheim and based originally on the Niveran Pattern Bolt Weapons. Unlike most Bolt weapons, the Heldenheim are a Bullpup configuration, where the magazine and firing action are located behind the trigger. This shortens the overall length and weight of the weapon while retaining the same barrel length, making a weapon more suitable for confined quarters or vehicles but still retaining its range and firepower.

## Overview

The origins of the Heldenheim pattern bolt rifles lie in a request to allow the Forge world of Heldenheim to be granted the Schematics for the Niveran Pattern Bolt Weapons by the Hartlords Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes to the Forge World of Nivera. A Chapter with a preference for longer-range engagements than their parent chapter, and having used the Niveran Pattern Bolt Rifle and finding it much to their liking, the Hartlords desired a more compact weapon that possessed the same accuracy, range and stopping power as a Heavy Bolt Rifle, but not be a disadvantage in confined spaces. Unfortunately, Nivera did not produce a heavy bolt rifle version, prioritising the needs and wants of its original users, the Lightning Wraiths. However, the Tech-adepts of Heldenheim, who had begun limited production of the Niveran themselves, saw an opportunity and started work on configuring a Heavy Bolt Rifle version. After rigorous testing, the resulting weapon was the same size as the Mk.II Cawl Pattern Bolt Rifle, while possessing the same barrel length as the heavy. After comprehensive field tests, the Hartlords eagerly adopted the pattern for their Heavy Intercessor squads.

Initially, Heldenheim could only produce enough to meet the demands of the Hartlords, with no other chapter being able to field them. This would change, however, following the First War of Oaths, as the Forge World of Heidronard would form a close relationship with the Sons of Russ, among them the Hartlords. This would lead to the Hartlords convincing the Tech-adepts of Heldenheim to give Heidronard the schematics for the Heldenheim pattern, allowing Heidronard and it's much more capable forges to produce the rifles in enough numbers to be equipped by other chapters.

## Design

The Heldenheim pattern bolt rifles all possess a standard feature, a bullpup configuration, like their progenitor, the Niveran pattern. The firing mechanism and magazine are located behind, instead of in front of, the trigger and pistol grip. As a result, the barrel is likewise located further back, and the overall weapon is shorter while retaining the same barrel length. Unlike the Niveran patterns, the Heldenheim are purely Heavy Bolt Rifles, naturally shorter than the standard pattern and closer in size to an Mk.II Cawl Pattern Bolt Rifle while retaining the accuracy.

The primary downsides of the Heldenheim Heavy Bolt Rifle over its conventional brethren are a significantly longer production time, limited compatibility of spares during campaigns and the inability to use drum magazines due to the ergonomics. Thus, it can only be configured as an Executor or a standard Heavy Bolt Rifle, but not the more suppressive Hellstorm. However, these are considered negligible issues by the users, who greatly value the greater mobility and smaller size.

### Ammunition

The Heldenheim pattern rifles utilise the same .75 bolt ammunition as the "standard" weapons and the same magazines. They can equip all of the same specialised ammunition as well. However, due to the magazine's position, drums are too unwieldy to be used and thus cannot be utilised.

## Notable Users

* **Hartlords** - The original users of the Heldenheim Pattern, the Hartlords, were vital in allowing Heldenheim to receive the schematics of the Niveran Patterns from Nivera, this allowing the Tech-Priests of Heldenheim to experiment further and create the Heldenheim Heavy Bolt Rifles. The Hartlords make extensive use of the Heldenheim Heavy Bolt Rifles.