Original Item: Only One Available. Perhaps no other collectible is so shrouded in myth, misinformation and mistaken identity as German regimental steins. These pieces have been steadily reproduced since the 1960s and most experts agree reproductions far outnumber authentic examples. Yet few buyers other than stein specialists know how to identify the fakes. We have examined this stein thoroughly, with reference to several websites such as RealorRepro and SteveonSteins, and this one has all of the correct aspects for being original.

The majority of authentic German regimental beer steins were produced between about 1890 and 1914. During this time, military service was compulsory in Germany. Most men would take basic training between 17 and 20 and then enter the reserves until age 40. A group of men would enter a unit together, stay in the same unit for training and be discharged as a unit. This sense of togetherness fostered the custom of buying souvenirs with the unit name, insignias and decorations as a keepsake of military service. Many souvenir items were available such as pipes, clocks, flasks and especially steins. Rosters of names from your unit, or regiment, could be added to the steins and these became known to collectors as "regimental steins."

Authentic ca. 1890-1914 steins were available in pottery, porcelain, glass and metal. Regardless of what the stein was made of, almost all had pewter lids. The most common sizes are half-liter and one-liter. The beginning of WW I effectively ended the production of regimental steins as labor and materials were diverted to the war.

This is a very high quality original Imperial German Regimental beer stein. It is highly decorated on the exterior, and these were generally made with lovely design on the exterior, with banners and other areas where they were customized for the specific regiment / unit that the person ordering the stein requested. These were usually ordered in groups for a particular regiment, and this example is marked for the Hessian 25th (1st Grand Ducal Hessian) Field Artillery Regiment, and the stein itself is decorated like a Field Artillery shell, with the fuse at the top and the driving band at the bottom. Just under the lid is marked with the following phrase:

Kanonendonner ist unser Gruß.
The Roar of Cannons is our Greeting.

Under this is the unit information:

1. Battr. Grolsh. Art. Corps 1. Grolsh. Hess. Feld Art. Rgt. Nr. 25. Darmstadt. 1907-1909

At the bottom, the stein is named to Kanonier Heisenkugel. The stein indicates that Heisenkugel was in the 1st Battery, and served from 1907-1909. At the time Germany had mandatory military service for all able-bodied males. There are also lots of other inscriptions on the body of the stein, probably patriotic phrases and maybe poems or the like.

The lid is designed like the time-fuse of an artillery shell, with a cannon sitting at the top although it appears to be damaged and is held together with wire. A Hessian lion is on the hinge.

There is no maker mark on the bottom of the stein, however that is not uncommon. The lid is in great shape, and the joint with the hinge is still solid, though the lid itself is a bit warped. The stein measures approximately 11½ inches in height, and is 4¼" across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. There is a capacity mark for ½ L. There is some residue inside the stein, so it may have been used at some point. There is a lithophane depicting a soldier with his sweetheart.

A very impressive display item from the German Empire, ready to research and display!