Original Item: Only One Available. 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.

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 a large 10 on a shield under a "flaming bomb" for artillery, and at the bottom it is named to enlisted man Reſ. Stellmann.. Just around his name the stein is inscribed with the regimental designation:

Bei der 6 Battr. Feld Art. Reg. v. Scharnhorst (1. Hann.) No 10 Hannover. 1907-09.

This is a clear reference to the 10th (1st Hannover) Field Artillery "von Scharnhorst" Regiment, first raised 19 December 1803 and garrisoned in Hannover in Saxony. Hanover was founded in medieval times on the east bank of the River Leine, and is a very well known city and capital of a major region in Germany. The 10th regiment was part of the X Corps Army Corps, and saw service in WWI. After this it was dissolved along with much of the German army.

The stein indicates that Stellmann was with the 6th Batterie, and served 1907-1909. 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 illustrations with inscriptions on the body of the stein, probably patriotic phrases and maybe poems or the like. Under the lid is the following:

Es wirbelt der Staub es drökner die Erde, es rasseln Geschütze, eswiehern die Pferde.
Und weithin schallt es im jubelnden Chor. Artillerie vor! Artillerie vor!

The dust is swirling, the earth is rumbling, guns are rattling, horses are whinnying.
And from far away the jubilant choir resounds. Artillery ahead! Artillery ahead!

The lid shows two soldiers behind an artillery piece at the top, and has RESERVE / HAT RUH (The reservist has peace) at the front. The lid has several sayings dedicated to reservists written on it, with the top and bottom lines reading (translation below):

IHR BRÜDER STOSST DIE GLÄSER AN ES LEBE DER RESERVEMANN
You Brothers Collect Your Glasses Long Live The Reserve Man

and on a banner in the middle portion:

DER TREU GEDIENT HAT SEINE ZEIT DEM SEI EIN VOLLES GLAS GEWEIHT
He who has done his service shall have a full glass dedicated to him

There is no maker mark on the bottom of the stein, however that is not uncommon. There is an embossed design inside the stein on the bottom, which may be a makers mark. The lid is in very good condition, with just a bit of a dent on one side. The joint with the hinge is still solid, however the attachment point for the hinge has become loose on the handle, and could use adjustment. The stein measures approximately 12 1/4 inches in height, and is 4 3/4" across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. It is also marked with 1/2 L. on the top under the hinge, the typical capacity for these steins.

A very impressive display item from the German Empire, ready to research and display!