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 in the center with a blue 58th Shoulder board with an ordnance bomb, for the 58th Field Artillery. The last names of the men of the company are to the left and right. The other side of the stein has depictions of these men in Battle firing field artillery and on horseback, charging to battle. We can certainly tell that the names of these men were hand-painted, not printed. This example is named to Res. Gft. Büderker. 

The top of the stein above the colorful painted scene has the regimental designation:

Lum Andenken a/m Dienstzeit CJ6 Batt. Mindensch Feld. Art. Rgt. No.
58 in Minden 1903/1905.

There is surprisingly a maker’s marking on this stein under the lid, BLEIFREI G.G.. It is very rare to find a stein with a marking! The lid is in great shape, and the joint with the hinge is still solid, though the connection to the handle is a bit loose. There is an 0,5 marking next to the lid, indicating a 0.5 liter capacity, standard for these. The stein measures approximately 11½” in height and 4¼” base diameter. The handle has a soldier’s face carved into it, a great touch! The lid of the stein features two soldiers of the regiment mounting a field cannon, with the Imperial German eagle on the hinge. 

This example has been broken at one point and the pieces have been meticulously glued back together. This was very well done as the damage isn’t entirely apparent at first glance.

The 58th (Minden) Field Artillery Regiment served under the VII Army Corps. On mobilization on 2 August 1914 the Corps was restructured. 13th and 14th Cavalry Brigades were withdrawn to form part of the 9th Cavalry Division. The 16th Uhlans, formerly of the IV Corps, was raised to a strength of 6 squadrons before being split into two half-regiments of 3 squadrons each. The half-regiments were assigned as divisional cavalry to 13th and 14th Divisions. 28th Infantry Brigade was assigned to the 14th Reserve Division with the VII Reserve Corps. Divisions received engineer companies and other support units from the Corps headquarters. In summary, VII Corps mobilized with 25 infantry battalions, 9 machine gun companies (54 machine guns), 6 cavalry squadrons, 24 field artillery batteries (144 guns), 4 heavy artillery batteries (16 guns), 3 pioneer companies and an aviation detachment.

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