Bidspirit auction | Exceptional Knife from the Topete

Exceptional Knife from the Topete Squad with the inscription ”Death to Isabel II” Revolution of ”La Gloriosa” 19th century - Measurements 42 x 9 cm. Made of steel with inscriptions on both sides of the edge, where the following can be distinguished: ”Death to Isabel II” and the year 1868 at the base; and on the obverse ”Topete” with an illegible legend and also 1868. In the mid-1860s, discontent with the monarchical regime of Isabel II was evident, and Spanish moderateism, in power since 1844 except for the intervals of the Progressive biennium (1854-1856) and the Liberal Union governments (1858-1863), was in a deep internal crisis. For its part, the Progressive Party, with Pedro Calvo Asensio as one of its driving forces, had opted to withdraw from elections in order to delegitimize the Cortes that emerged from them. In 1864, General Narváez returned to power, having been forced to leave office following the tragic events of the Night of San Daniel, and was replaced by General Leopoldo O'Donnell. It was already in early September 1868 that the military uprising, which was agreed to begin in Cádiz, began with the rebellion of the fleet by the Unionist Admiral Juan Bautista Topete. This is a rare example of one of the Marine Infantry knives from Admiral Topete's squadron, most likely belonging to one of his officers or a member of the Marine Corps present at the September 1868 uprising against absolutism in Cádiz, commanded by Admiral Topete. Provenance: Private collection in Barcelona.