Weapons of the Pandours, and Who Were They?

TVV · 31st October 2010, 06:27 AM

The following yataghan was found recently in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, it is not mine, but the owner has been kind enough to provide plenty of pictures. The hilt is similar to the one from the Auctions Imperial catalogue. The guard is different, with down turned quillons. Interestingly enough, the blade is similar to a group of yataghans posted by Rumpel here.

While Buttin attributes this type to Von Trenck's troops, there are similarly hilted yataghans in Elgood's book, which have a confirmed provenance of belonging to Greek freedom fighters. I am starting to think that the form was spread throughout the Balkans in the 18th century. Certainly, not many have survived until today though.

Regards,
Teodor

Jim McDougall · 1st November 2010, 04:12 PM

Absolutely outstanding Teodor!!! Thank you for posting this. It is indeed very much like the unusual tall, fingerstalled type hilt, and the heavy forward curved blade of the type used probably quite widely in these times. While the 'exploits' of von Trencks pandours were well known, the exact nature of the probably widely assorted weapons used by them cannot of course be determined with any certainty.
As many of the men in his units were recruited from Balkan regions and ethnic groups in contingent areas, all supplying thier own weapons, it would be impossible to do anything but speculate. I do recall vaguely the item from the auction, which was seemingly identical to one of Buttin's swords in the catalog, but cannot recall if it was the exact item, or simply one compared to it.

Thank you for posting this and for reviving this interesting topic! I hope we might get some more input on this, and I think your idea is very well placed.

All the best,
Jim

31st October 2010, 06:27 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	The following yataghan was found recently in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, it is not mine, but the owner has been kind enough to provide plenty of pictures. The hilt is similar to the one from the Auctions Imperial catalogue. The guard is different, with down turned quillons. Interestingly enough, the blade is similar to a group of yataghans posted by Rumpel here. While Buttin attributes this type to Von Trenck's troops, there are similarly hilted yataghans in Elgood's book, which have a confirmed provenance of belonging to Greek freedom fighters. I am starting to think that the form was spread throughout the Balkans in the 18th century. Certainly, not many have survived until today though. Regards, Teodor Attached Images

1st November 2010, 04:12 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Absolutely outstanding Teodor!!! Thank you for posting this. It is indeed very much like the unusual tall, fingerstalled type hilt, and the heavy forward curved blade of the type used probably quite widely in these times. While the 'exploits' of von Trencks pandours were well known, the exact nature of the probably widely assorted weapons used by them cannot of course be determined with any certainty. As many of the men in his units were recruited from Balkan regions and ethnic groups in contingent areas, all supplying thier own weapons, it would be impossible to do anything but speculate. I do recall vaguely the item from the auction, which was seemingly identical to one of Buttin's swords in the catalog, but cannot recall if it was the exact item, or simply one compared to it. Thank you for posting this and for reviving this interesting topic! I hope we might get some more input on this, and I think your idea is very well placed. All the best, Jim