Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original Imperial German Bavarian infantry reservist beer stein commemorating the 1900–1902 military service of Reservist Bachtter with the 6th Company, Königlich Bayerisches 18. Infanterie-Regiment “Prinz Ludwig Ferdinand” at Landau in der Pfalz. The stein is richly decorated with infantry scenes, soldiers in camp, Bavarian imagery, a company roster, a base lithophane, and an elaborate hinged pewter lid.

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 for the 18th Royal Bavarian Infantry "Prince Ludwig Ferdinand" regiment.

Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria was a member of the Bavarian Royal house, and also a General of Cavalry in the military. He was made the regimental colonel of the Bavarian 18th Infantry regiment, which would after that bear his name. Surrounding the portrait are stands of arms, depictions of camp life, and other picturesque scenes. Just under the lid is marked with the following unit information:

18. Inft. Regt. Prinz Ludwig Ferdinand 6. Comp. 1900/1902. Landau.

This is a clear reference to the 18th Royal Bavarian Infantry "Prince Ludwig Ferdinand" regiment, first raised 1 April 1881 and garrisoned in Landau an der Isar, located in Eastern Bavaria. The 18th 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.

Near the bottom, the stein is named to Reservist Bachtter.

The stein indicates that Bachtter was in the 6th companie, and served 1900-1902. 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. There are also a list of the NCOs and reservists from the regiment next to the handle.

The lid shows two infantry reservists at the top, with a lovely motif of Bavarian lions, a cacophony of arms, and soldiers.

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. The stein has fantastic color retention with some oxidation bleed of the lid on the handle. The stein measures approximately 11 ⅛ inches in height, and is 4 ⅛ inches across the base. The glaze is in excellent condition, with no cracking we can see, but there is some wear and scuffing. The bottom of the inside has an embossed "lithopane" design that shows a soldier and his wife, which can be seen by holding the bottom up to the light.

The regiment itself did mobilize in 1914 and fought as part of the Bavarian Army on the Western Front. It served under the 6th Bavarian Infantry Brigade and 3rd Bavarian Division, and contemporary operational histories place the regiment in combat during the winter fighting of 1914–1915.

The combination of the 18th Royal Bavarian Infantry Regiment identification, 6th Company designation, Reservist Bachtter attribution, company roster, and sentimental base lithophane makes this a particularly informative example of Bavarian reservist culture at the beginning of the 20th century.