Weapons of the Pandours, and Who Were They?

Jim McDougall · 26th August 2009, 07:26 AM

Absolutely excellent Teodor!!! Thank you.
Good note on the example with Imperial Auctions last year, and I had forgotten about it...I dont have the catalog, perhaps someone might have a photo of this yataghan #292 ?

The Charles Buttin catalog (1933) does show 4 yataghan type blade sabres attributed to von Trenck's pandours (pp.73-74, nos. 217-220) as well as a hanger type sabre so attributed but with standard sabre type blade.
I think the Imperial Auctions item was attributed to pandours via the Buttin references but I am not certain if this was actually one of these swords. I do know that sabres with heavy forward curved yataghan type blades such as seen in the Buttin examples did exist in somewhat hirschfanger form in the latter 18th century used in similar 'freikorps' type units, possibly latter units of pandours following von Trencks.

The 'Vivat Pandur' inscription seems to have become popular as an inscription on sword, knife and bayonet blades about mid 18th century in recognition of the 'ferocity' of these notorious troops and in the sense of a slogan recalling this. According to Aylward ("Smallsword in England", London, 1945, p.42-43) the Solingen blade engravers in about mid 18th century began to abandon the well recognized image of a shock headed warrior brandishing a falchion with the famed 'Hannibal' name, and began using the Vivat Pandur theme.

R.D.C.Evans wrote on these blades somewhat in his "The Plug Bayonet" and in a number of articles.

Teodor thank you for the notes on the Bashi Bazouks, and it would seem that these Ottoman forces very much paralleled the pandours. In one reference it noted that the Turkish styles often used by the Croatian troops may have been due to the presence of the Turks there only 30 years prior to the Trenck formation of his troops.

The etymology I could find seems to have basically the same meaning of constable or guard, as they were in a sense much like security guards on large estates in many cases. Thier use as irregular, skirmishing troops grew out of these forces.

On a further note on the mummified remains of von Trenck, tonight I saw a documentary on the Capuchin Order in Sicily and thier practices of mummifying and venerating monks. One part mentioned similar Capuchine practice in Palermo, and I recalled that von Trenck had been born there.
Perhaps his established family ties and growing up there compelled the Capuchine monks in the monastery in Brno to include him with other aristocrats who were also mummified in the catacombs there.

Teodor, thank you for responding and for the great photo of these hirschfangers! For 'not knowing much' you sure added a lot!!! I really appreciate it. I hope we can draw some more interest on this and hopefully find more on the original pandours and subsequent troops.

All the best,
Jim

I just noticed the tips on the two swords on the left with 'clipped points' and recall that in blade typology illustrations in "Schwert Degen Sabel" (Gerhard Seifert, 1962)....this tip profile is termed 'pandour point'.

26th August 2009, 07:26 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Absolutely excellent Teodor!!! Thank you. Good note on the example with Imperial Auctions last year, and I had forgotten about it...I dont have the catalog, perhaps someone might have a photo of this yataghan #292 ? The Charles Buttin catalog (1933) does show 4 yataghan type blade sabres attributed to von Trenck's pandours (pp.73-74, nos. 217-220) as well as a hanger type sabre so attributed but with standard sabre type blade. I think the Imperial Auctions item was attributed to pandours via the Buttin references but I am not certain if this was actually one of these swords. I do know that sabres with heavy forward curved yataghan type blades such as seen in the Buttin examples did exist in somewhat hirschfanger form in the latter 18th century used in similar 'freikorps' type units, possibly latter units of pandours following von Trencks. The 'Vivat Pandur' inscription seems to have become popular as an inscription on sword, knife and bayonet blades about mid 18th century in recognition of the 'ferocity' of these notorious troops and in the sense of a slogan recalling this. According to Aylward ("Smallsword in England", London, 1945, p.42-43) the Solingen blade engravers in about mid 18th century began to abandon the well recognized image of a shock headed warrior brandishing a falchion with the famed 'Hannibal' name, and began using the Vivat Pandur theme. R.D.C.Evans wrote on these blades somewhat in his "The Plug Bayonet" and in a number of articles. Teodor thank you for the notes on the Bashi Bazouks, and it would seem that these Ottoman forces very much paralleled the pandours. In one reference it noted that the Turkish styles often used by the Croatian troops may have been due to the presence of the Turks there only 30 years prior to the Trenck formation of his troops. The etymology I could find seems to have basically the same meaning of constable or guard, as they were in a sense much like security guards on large estates in many cases. Thier use as irregular, skirmishing troops grew out of these forces. On a further note on the mummified remains of von Trenck, tonight I saw a documentary on the Capuchin Order in Sicily and thier practices of mummifying and venerating monks. One part mentioned similar Capuchine practice in Palermo, and I recalled that von Trenck had been born there. Perhaps his established family ties and growing up there compelled the Capuchine monks in the monastery in Brno to include him with other aristocrats who were also mummified in the catacombs there. Teodor, thank you for responding and for the great photo of these hirschfangers! For 'not knowing much' you sure added a lot!!! I really appreciate it. I hope we can draw some more interest on this and hopefully find more on the original pandours and subsequent troops. All the best, Jim I just noticed the tips on the two swords on the left with 'clipped points' and recall that in blade typology illustrations in "Schwert Degen Sabel" (Gerhard Seifert, 1962)....this tip profile is termed 'pandour point'.