{"product_id":"original-imperial-german-pre-wwi-era-westfalisches-fussartillerie-regiment-nr-7-beer-stein-with-hinged-lid-dated-1912-14","title":"Original Imperial German Pre-WWI Era Westfälisches Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 7 Beer Stein with Hinged Lid - Dated 1912-14","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a very interesting original Imperial German pre-WWI regimental reservist beer stein, named to\u003cstrong\u003e Reservist Schwister\u003c\/strong\u003e and dated \u003cstrong\u003e1912–1914\u003c\/strong\u003e, commemorating his military service with the \u003cstrong\u003e4th Battery of Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 7\u003c\/strong\u003e, stationed in Cologne (Cöln), Germany. The stein features elaborate hand-painted military scenes, a central shoulder board displaying the regimental number\u003cstrong\u003e 7,\u003c\/strong\u003e and a decorative hinged pewter lid depicting two soldiers operating an artillery piece. The interior base retains a traditional translucent lithophane depicting a soldier and his sweetheart, visible when held toward a light source. This example measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e11 ¼ inches tall with a 4 ½-inch base diameter.\u003c\/strong\u003e It exhibits moderate damage, including chipping around the upper and lower edges, along with an old solder repair to the lid attachment that has left the hinge loose. Despite these condition issues, the stein retains its extensive original decoration, personalized inscriptions, and distinctive military fittings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps 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 \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realorrepro.com\/article\/Regimental-beer-steins\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eRealorRepro\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.steveonsteins.com\/reservists-regimental-and-occupational-reproduction-beer-steins-below\/reservists-regimental-reproductions\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSteveonSteins\u003c\/a\u003e, and this one has all of the correct aspects for being original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthentic 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a 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 white shoulder board with a 7, for the \u003cstrong\u003eWestfälisches Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 7\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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 cannons and riding on horseback, along with saying goodbye to their family. We can certainly tell that the names of these men were hand-painted, not printed. This example is named to\u003cstrong\u003e Reservist Schwister\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the stein is marked with the following unit information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4. Battr. Schlesw. Holst. Fuss. Art. Regt. Nro. 7 Coln 1912-14\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis indicates that Schwister was in the 4th Battery, Westfälisches Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 7, and that he was stationed in Coln from 1912 to 1914. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lid depicts two soldiers manning a field cannon. The hinge has a lovely German eagle, but as mentioned the hinge was broken and repaired, but as a result it is loose to the handle. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no maker mark on the bottom of the stein, however that is not uncommon. The stein measures approximately 11 1\/4 inches in height, and is 4 1\/2 inches across the base. The glaze is in good condition, but there is breakage as shown at the top and bottom of the stein. The bottom of the inside has an embossed \"lithopane\" design that shows a soldier and his sweetheart, which can be seen by holding the bottom up to the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImperial German reservist steins represent an important category of military memorabilia because they preserve the personal and social experiences of soldiers who served during the final decades of the German Empire. This \u003cstrong\u003e1912–1914\u003c\/strong\u003e example is particularly interesting for its association with \u003cstrong\u003eReservist Schwister,\u003c\/strong\u003e its 4th Battery inscription, the prominent regimental number 7, and its elaborate depictions of artillery service and military life. The survival of the interior lithophane and decorative pewter lid further contributes to its historical interest, while the repaired hinge and chipped porcelain provide an accurate reflection of its present condition. Although the wording of the regimental inscription warrants additional examination, the combination of personalized markings, original decorative features, and documented service dates makes this a noteworthy artifact of Imperial German military culture immediately preceding the First World War.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46368438976581,"sku":"ONJR26OCAM010","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/A20C985A-C3D5-4455-9A21-303683A41215.jpg?v=1794426403","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-imperial-german-pre-wwi-era-westfalisches-fussartillerie-regiment-nr-7-beer-stein-with-hinged-lid-dated-1912-14","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}