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Established in 1506 the Swiss Guard are one of the oldest continuously operating military units. But today they act as the ceremonial protectors of the Vatican.

They do have modern firearms in their arsenal but compared to their halberds Sig 550s and P220s don't seem that odd.

The halberd is among the most versatile melee weapons. It allows it's user to defend against charging calvary, deal with the armor of opponents, or attack melee combatants without entering the effective range of their weapons.

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[-] Lophostemon@aussie.zone 13 points 11 months ago

I wonder if they actually practice with them properly, or just hold them as decorations.

[-] Bashnagdul@lemmy.world 19 points 11 months ago

Afaik both. Like the Queens guard in the uk, these people are actually trained combatants.

[-] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

I suppose there is a slight difference that the Queen’s Guard still carry modern L85s even in their ceremonial uniforms.

The Swiss Guard carrying halberds are much more ceremonial to me. We know they have modern people out of sight with more proper equipment.

[-] idiocracy@lemmy.zip 3 points 11 months ago

can't be too prepared for WW4

[-] PorradaVFR@lemmy.world 13 points 11 months ago

Now I'm no militariologist but I do know you do not fuck with these guys. I'm talking Wu-Tang Clan level of not fucking with. They are cutely dressed, ceremonial bad asses that would ruin your whole day with that pointy stick.

[-] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 6 points 11 months ago

I don’t get how a gun isn’t a melee weapon, when John Wick uses them in melees all the time.

[-] unreachable@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago

pistol whiplash

[-] Nuklia 6 points 11 months ago

It was 1527

Gave their lives on the steps to heaven

[-] Willy@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago

Ain’t no one forgot about halbreds.

[-] Deceptichum@kbin.social 4 points 11 months ago

Some of these bad boys up on a hill and they could defeat a unit of tanks, possibly even a destroyer.

this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2023
75 points (97.5% liked)

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