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 22 in a shield, under which are the portraits of King Ludwig III of Bavaria (right) and Crown Prince Rupprecht (left). Just under the lid is marked with the following phrase:

Wir dienten an dem Saareſtrand zum Schutze für das Vaterland
We served on the Saare beach to protect the fatherland

This phrase refers to the banks an beaches of the river Saar, today the border between Germany and France. At the time however it was the border between the Saarland region and Alsace-Lorraine, which had been captured during the Franco-Prussian war in 1871. Below this it is named to Reserviſt Hoffmann.. Towards the bottom of the stein is a somewhat long regimental designation:

11. Comp. Kgl. Baÿr. 22 Inft. Regt. Saargemünd. 1912 - 14.

This is a clear reference to the 22nd Royal Bavarian Infantry "Prince William of Hohenzollern" regiment, first raised 1 April 1897 and garrisoned in Zweibrücken near the border of the Saarland. It would appear that the 10th company was stationed in nearby Saargemünd, today Sarreguemines in France, part of the long-contested Alsace–Lorraine region on the German / French border. This region was taken by the German Empire in the wake of the Franco-Prussian war, and restored to France after WWI. The 22nd regiment was part of the II Royal Bavarian Corps and took part of WWI, after which it was dissolved along with much of the German army.

The stein indicates that Hoffmann was in the 11th Companie, and served 1912-1914. 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. Also the usual Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit (In Memory of my Service).

The lid shows an infantry reservist at the top, and has RESERVE / HAT RUH (The reservist has peace) at the front, and there are saying dedicated to reservists on the sides of the lid, which read (translation below):

IHR BRÜDER STOSST DIE GLÄSER AN ES LEBE DER RESERVEMANN
You Brothers Collect Your Glasses Long Live The Reserve Man

and

DER TREU GEDIENT HAT SEINE ZEIT DEM SEI EIN VOLLES GLAS GEWEIHT
He who has done his service shall have a full glass dedicated to him

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 inside of the lid is bright and shiny, as is correct for a vintage stein. The top of the lid shows a soldier next to the Bavarian lion, and there is a Rampant lion on the top of the hinge.

The stein measures approximately 12 3/8 inches in height, and is 4 1/2" across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. The bottom of the inside has a lovely lithopane showing a soldier and his sweetheart. This is well executed, and they are standing at arms length, correct for the period. 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!