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. 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. After the War Ended, the much reduced German armed forces now had ample resources to produce steins, and production was restarted.

This is a very high quality original Imperial German Regimental beer stein for a Sailor in the Kaiserliche Marine Navy. 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 unit that the person ordering the stein requested. These were usually ordered in groups for a particular unit, and this example is marked just under the handle with:

a. Bord S.M.S. Posen. 1910-13

This denotes that the sailor served aboard the SMS Posen from 1910-1913. The Posen was commissioned in 1910, and would serve with her three sister ships for the majority of World War I. She saw extensive service in the North Sea, where she took part in several fleet sorties. These culminated in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May – 1 June 1916, where Posen was heavily engaged in night-fighting against British light forces. The bottom edge of the stein is inscribed Resv. Mack., denoting Reservist Mack. 

The stein indicates that Mack served aboard the SMS Posen from 1910-1913, and at the time Germany had mandatory military service for all able-bodied males, so there would be a lot of records to sort through to find more information. However, the names and ranks of the entire crew look to be inscribed on the sides of the stein, so that may be a future avenue of research.

Also on the side of the stein near the middle is the standard Erinnerung an meine Dienſtzeit (A reminder of my time of service) inscription. Along the top edge is the phrase:

Wer treu gedient hat feine Zeit, dem fei ein voller Krug geweiht!

To him who has served faithfully for a long time, may a full mug be dedicated!

The lid design is simple with a sailor sitting atop it holding a stein. The lid however has heavy repairs from past damage, and it may have been repainted at one point. There is heavy solder repairs at the hinge and the underside of the lid. The hinge shows an Imperial eagle, and the handle has a sailor’s face embossed. 

The bottom of the stein is embossed ges. geschutzf / 1122, a possible maker mark. The stein measures approximately 13 1/8 inches in height, and is 4 3/4" across the base. The glaze is in good condition, showing some cracking and loss of color in areas. The side is marked 1L, for 1 liter, a very large size. 

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