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 19, and at the bottom of the stein it is named to Michael Kaiser. The top of the stein under the lid has the somewhat long regimental designation:

19. Inft. Regt. „König Viktor Emanuel IIIv. Italien“ 7. Comp. Erlangen 1911-1913

This is a clear reference to the Königlich Bayerisches Infanterie-Regiment „König Viktor Emanuel III von Italien“ Nr. 19, or the 19th Royal Bavarian Infantry "King Viktor Emanuel III of Italy" Regiment. First raised 1 October 1890 and garrisoned in Erlangen outside of Nuremberg, this regiment was part of the III Royal Bavarian Corps and took part of WWI, after which it was dissolved along with much of the German army.

The stein indicates that Kaiser was in the 7th Company, and served from 1911-1913. At the time Germany had mandatory military service for all able-bodied males. As a reservist he was most likely called up at the outbreak of WWI. There are also lots of other inscriptions on the body of the stein, probably patriotic phrases and maybe poems or the like.

The prism lid shows a great depiction of men seated at a dinner table eating, and gives a great optical illusion. The bottom of the inside has a lovely lithopane showing a soldier and his sweetheart. 

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 it is loose on the handle.

The stein measures approximately 10½ inches in height, and is 4 1/2" across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. There is no size marked, but it is most likely 0.5 Liters, the standard capacity for these.

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