Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original Imperial German WWI commemorative beer stein associated with the Reserve Military Hospital at Alexandersbad and specifically dated Christmas 1916. Unlike the better-known prewar regimental reservist steins produced in large numbers before 1914, this example belongs to the much scarcer category of wartime commemorative pieces made after the outbreak of WWI.

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. After the War Ended, the much reduced German armed forces now had ample resources to produce steins, and production was restarted.

This is a very lovely stein depicting a motif of Kaiser Wilhelm II in uniform with a brown background and gold top and bottom borders. The bottom of the stein is inscribed in gold:

RES. LAZARETT ALEXANDERSBAD
WEIHNACHTEN 1916

Reserve Military Hospital Alexandersbad
Christmas 1916

This is one of the very rare wartime steins, few of which were made after the war began in 1914. This example likely had a lid at one point but it is now gone.

The stein measures 4” tall with a 4¼” base diameter. There is some residue to the interior and some scuffing and finish wear to the exterior.

The combination of the Kaiser Wilhelm II portrait, wartime 1916 date, Reserve Military Hospital Alexandersbad inscription, Christmas dedication, and surviving original decoration makes this a particularly interesting piece of Imperial German medical and home-front history. Although the original lid is now missing, the surviving inscription gives the stein a strong and specific WWI context that sets it apart from the far more common prewar reservist examples.