In 1761, King Carlos III established the Royal Sword Factory in Toledo, Spain, to standardize the production of swords and revitalize the traditional blade-making industry. This initiative was part of broader Enlightenment reforms aimed at modernizing Spain's economy and military capabilities. The factory played a crucial role in producing high-quality swords that were used in both domestic and colonial conflicts, reflecting the importance of Toledo as a center for craftsmanship and innovation.

Revived Toledo swords symbolized Spanish martial heritage in neoclassical poetry and influenced 19th-century nationalist literature across Europe.