Original Item: Only One Available. This is an impressive original Imperial German reservist beer stein commemorating the 1903–1905 military service of Fahrer Heck with the 2nd Battery, Feldartillerie-Regiment “Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern” (2. Württembergisches) Nr. 29 at Ludwigsburg. The half-liter stein is extensively decorated with artillery scenes, regimental and state imagery, a roster of fellow soldiers, a lithophane in the base, and a hinged pewter lid surmounted by an artillery group.

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 an outstanding 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 red shoulder board with a flaming bomb over 29. This denotes use by the Feldartillerie-Regiment „Prinzregent Luitpold von Bayern“ (2. Württembergisches) Nr. 29. 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 cannons and on horseback. We can certainly tell that the names of these men were hand-painted, not printed. This example is named to Fahrer Heck. The bottom of the stein has the regimental designation:

2. Batt. 2. Wurtt. Feld. Art. Regt. No. 29. Prinzr. Luitp. V. Bayern Ludwigsburg. 1903-05.

This indicates that Heck served with the 2nd Battalion of the 29th (2nd Württemberg) Field Artillery Regiment, named "Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria." They were stationed in Ludwigsburg from 1903-1905. At the time Germany had mandatory military service for all able-bodied males. There are also lots of other inscriptions on the body of the stein, probably patriotic phrases and maybe poems or the like.

The lid bears two German soldiers manning a field cannon, with the coat of arms of Württemberg on the hinge. The stein is inscribed on the body under the lid with the phrase Kanonendonner ist unser Gruk, or The thunder of cannons is our greeting.

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 the lid itself is a bit warped and discolored. The stein measures approximately 12 inches in height, and is 4 3/4" across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. There is a capacity mark for 0.5 L for half of a liter, the standard capacity for these. There is a lithophane depicting a man saying goodbye to his wife.

The combination of the full Feldartillerie-Regiment Nr. 29 designation, Ludwigsburg garrison inscription, 1903–1905 service dates, named Fahrer Heck, regimental roster, artillery shoulder-strap device, “Kanonendonner ist unser Gruß” motto, Württemberg heraldry, artillery-themed pewter lid, and base lithophane makes this an especially informative survivor of Imperial German reservist culture. Rather than being merely decorative military porcelain, it preserves a personalized record of one soldier’s peacetime artillery service during the final decade before World War I.