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 a large 70 in a shield in front of the crossed Prussian and National Colors, which is amidst several infantry scenes. There is a banner at the top above an infantry soldier, which is usually where the name would be, however it has been left blank. There are illustrations with inscriptions on the body of the stein, probably patriotic phrases and maybe poems or the like.

There is a red and yellow banner at the bottom of the scene which gives the regimental designation:

Comp. 8. Rhein. Inf. Regt. No. 70, Saarbrücken 1907 - 1909

The second date is somewhat unclear, however the standard enlistment was two years. We also noted that there is no company number listed, so it looks like this stein may have never been finished before it was presented, or maybe was a "left over" from the run.

The regimental designation is a reference to the 70th (8th Rhenish) Infantry Regiment, first raised 5 May 1860 and garrisoned in Saarbrücken on the river Saar, very close to the present day border with France. This city area has had various settlements going back to Roman times. The 70th regiment was part of the XXI. Armee-Korps, and saw service in WWI, as it was relatively close to the border with France. After this it was dissolved along with much of the German army.

The lid shows a seated infantry soldier at the top, holding a beer stein in his hand, and there is a saying dedicated to reservists just under the lid, which reads (translation below):

Wer treu gedient hat seine Zeit, dem ſei ein volles Glas geweiht
He who has faithfully served his time, to him a full glass is dedicated

Just below this on the top of the stein is another dedication to reservists:

Brüder ſtoßt die Gläſer an, hoch lebe der Reſervemann
Brothers clink glasses, long live the reserve man!

The lid is in very good condition, with no dents or deformation around the bottom, and the hinge is in great shape, though the base is not securely attached to the handle anymore. The stein measures approximately 10 1/2 inches in height, and is 3 1/2 inches across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing a lovely pattern of checking overall, but no major chipping or other damage. It is also marked with 0,5.L under the hinge, the typical capacity for these steins.

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