{"product_id":"original-german-pre-wwii-army-farrier-training-course-beer-stein-for-gefreiter-k-drescher-of-reiter-regiment-10-with-munchner-kindl-and-damaged-hinged-lid-dated-1936","title":"Original German Pre-WWII Army Farrier Training Course Beer Stein for Gefreiter K. Drescher of Reiter Regiment 10 with Münchner Kindl and Damaged Hinged Lid, Dated 1936","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original 1936 German Army commemorative beer stein belonging to Gefreiter K. Drescher, who attended a four month military farrier training course at the Heereslehrschmiede München, or Army Training Forge in Munich. Decorated with scenes of soldiers caring for horses, a horseshoe enclosing crossed farrier tools, the recognizable Münchner Kindl, unit and owner markings, and exact course dates, the stein provides an unusually detailed record of the specialized personnel responsible for maintaining the German Army’s enormous population of military horses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary inscription surrounding the central Munich emblem reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErinnerung a.d. Lehrkurs der Heereslehrschmiede München\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an abbreviated form meaning:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Memory of the Training Course at the Army Training Forge in Munich\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central emblem depicts the Münchner Kindl, the traditional symbol of the city of Munich. Its inclusion directly connects the stein with the location of the training course rather than merely serving as generic decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper inscription reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2.R.R.10 - Torgau\/Elbe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe R.R. abbreviation most likely refers to Reiter Regiment, or Cavalry Regiment. The marking therefore appears to associate Drescher with a formation or subunit of Reiter Regiment 10 connected with Torgau on the Elbe. The exact interpretation of the leading 2 has not been conclusively confirmed and may indicate a squadron or another internal unit designation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lower portion identifies the owner as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGefr. K. Drescher\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis abbreviation stands for Gefreiter K. Drescher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dated inscription reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ev.1.4.1936 - 31.7.1936\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis records a course running from April 1, 1936, through July 31, 1936. The four month period is consistent with specialized technical instruction rather than ordinary short term unit training.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painted decoration includes soldiers engaged in the care and handling of military horses. At the center is a horseshoe containing a crossed hammer and farrier pliers, immediately identifying the occupational specialty represented by the stein. These tools were essential to the military farrier, whose responsibilities went far beyond simply attaching horseshoes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA trained Army farrier examined hooves, trimmed and balanced them, manufactured or modified shoes, treated routine hoof problems, and helped keep horses fit for service. Improper shoeing could quickly render an animal lame and therefore unavailable for transport, reconnaissance, cavalry duties, or the movement of artillery. Farriers worked closely with veterinary personnel but represented a distinct and highly skilled trade within the mounted and horse drawn Army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite increasing mechanization during the 1930s, the German Army continued to depend heavily upon horses. They pulled artillery pieces, ammunition wagons, supply carts, field kitchens, ambulances, and other equipment. Specialized schools such as the Heereslehrschmiede München trained personnel whose work was essential to maintaining that mobility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stein retains its hinged metal lid, although the original figure or finial mounted on top has broken away and is no longer present. The remaining lid bears the inscription:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReserve Hat Ruh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis traditional phrase may be translated as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Reservist Is at Rest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hinge incorporates a German lion motif. The lid and hinge should be handled carefully because of the missing upper figure and the age of the surviving assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bottom of the interior contains a lithophane image depicting two women reading a letter. When the stein is held toward a light source, the translucent image becomes visible through the base. Lithophanes were a popular feature on German military commemorative steins and added a private or sentimental scene that could be viewed while drinking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stein measures approximately 10 ½ inches tall and has a base diameter of approximately 4 ¼ inches. The side is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0\/5L\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis denotes a capacity of one half liter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGerman military commemorative steins were privately purchased as reminders of a soldier’s service, unit, posting, or specialist training. The ornate Imperial era tradition declined during WWI but later returned in a generally more restrained and utilitarian form. Examples from the 1930s often emphasized the owner’s branch, occupational specialty, garrison, and period of service rather than the elaborate rosters and densely painted battle scenes associated with earlier reservist steins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is especially desirable because it identifies the owner, regiment, training location, specialist farrier role, and exact course dates. Its scenes of military horse care, occupational horseshoe and tool emblem, Münchner Kindl, interior lithophane, and surviving hinged lid give it excellent visual and historical interest. The missing lid figure is fully disclosed, but the stein remains an impressive display piece for a German cavalry, veterinary and farrier service, military horse equipment, Torgau, Munich, or pre-WWII militaria collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44679928348741,"sku":"ONAC25SD0037","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC25SD0037.jpg?v=1772226476","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-german-pre-wwii-army-farrier-training-course-beer-stein-for-gefreiter-k-drescher-of-reiter-regiment-10-with-munchner-kindl-and-damaged-hinged-lid-dated-1936","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}