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“The Swiss Guards that you see carry halberds.

The Swiss Guards that you don’t see prefer H&K ...”
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I think some of the confusion originates from the pike vs the glave. When the guards are posted the senior NCO (front left hand side of the column) carries a glave; which somewhat resembles a pike; but, was, in fact the “badge” of someone in command; an NCO or commissioned officer in today’s terms. Pikes, were, as I am sure you know, the weapon of the lowest level foot soldier.

Agreed on the H&K’s ...although it appears the Swiss Guard also carries Glock 19’s and a variety of SIG weaponry; both, pistols and long arms.

Below is a link to an interesting article on the weaponry of the Swiss Guard. Note the 6th image down shows the NCO with the glave at the front of the column ...and the author misidentifies it as a “pike.”

http://www.guns.com/2014/04/13/guns-swiss-guard/