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 19, and at the bottom of the stein it is named to Heinrick Bäcker. The top of the stein under the lid has the somewhat long regimental designation:

Kgl. bayr. 19. Inft. Regt. „König Vikt. Emanuel“ 2. Comp. 1908/10 Erlangen

This is a clear reference to the Königlich Bayerisches Infanterie-Regiment „König Viktor Emanuel III von Italien“ Nr. 19, or the 19th Royal Bavarian Infantry "King Viktor Emanuel III of Italy" Regiment. First raised 1 October 1890 and garrisoned in Erlangen outside of Nuremberg, this regiment was part of the III Royal Bavarian Corps and took part of WWI, after which it was dissolved along with much of the German army.

The stein indicates that Kuhn was in the 2nd Companie, and served 1908-1910. 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. One in particular stands out:

Erinnerung an das große Kaiſermannöver 1909.
Remembrance of the great imperial maneuver in 1909

The lid shows an infantry reservist at the top, and has RESERVE / HAT RUH (The reservist has peace) at the front, and there are saying dedicated to reservists on the sides of the lid, which read (translation below):

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

and

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. However, there is a marking under the hinge which probably indicates who decorated the stein. The lid is in great shape, and the joint with the hinge is still solid, though the connection to the handle is no longer firm. The stein measures approximately 11 1/4 inches in height, and is 4 1/4" across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. The bottom of the inside has an embossed design that may be a maker's mark. There is no capacity mark, but these were typically 0.5L. There is some residue inside the stein, so it may have been used at some point.

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