Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive original Imperial German character stein depicting Otto von Bismarck, the statesman who served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire. Modeled as a portly bust of Bismarck wearing his characteristic Pickelhaube-style helmet, the stein retains its hinged metal lid, strong molded detail, and an original MUSTERSCHUTZ marking on the underside. The form, mark, construction, and overall appearance are consistent with original turn-of-the-century German character stein production.

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 a great WWI era character stein, depicting the bust of Otto von Bismarck wearing his signature Kurassier pickelhaube with laurel leaves coming from the back. The bottom of the stein is marked MUSTERSCHUTZ, the maker.

The stein measures roughly 6” tall with a 3 x 3 3/4” base. It is capacity-marked on the interior 0.3L for 3/10ths of a liter. There is some cracking to the interior but it has held up well overall.

With its distinctive Bismarck portrait, small 0.3-liter size, hinged lid, well-preserved molded decoration, and original MUSTERSCHUTZ marking, this is a particularly appealing example of Imperial German character-stein production. The association of the mark with Schierholz & Sohn provides a much stronger manufacturing attribution than reading Musterschutz as a factory name, while the Bismarck subject places the piece firmly within the broad culture of patriotic and commemorative objects produced during the German Imperial period.