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.

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 for the Regiment der Gardes du Corps or “Life Guards” of Prussia. The bottom is marked with the regimental designation:

Leib Esh. Regt. Der Gardes du Corps in Potsdam.

And the top is marked with the phrase:

Es lebe hoch das Regiment, das sich mit Stolz das Einzige neunt!
Long live the regiment that proudly calls itself the only one!

Under this phrase, the stein is named to Gerhard Simmering. The stein indicates that Simmering was in the Gardes du Corps (Regiment der Gardes du Corps), the royal cuirassier guard regiment unit of the king of Prussia and, after 1871, of the German Emperor (in German, the Kaiser). This is the very first stein we have ever seen named to a member of the Garde du Corps.

Unlike the rest of the Imperial German Army after German unification in 1871, the Garde du Corps was recruited nationally and was part of the 1st Guards Cavalry Division. The Regiment wore a white cuirassier uniform with certain special distinctions in full dress. These included a red tunic for officers in court dress and a white metal eagle poised as if about to rise from the bronze helmet on which it sat. Other unique features of the regiment's full dress worn until 1914 included a red sleeveless Supraweste (vest) with the star of the Order of the Black Eagle on front and back and the retention of black iron cuirasses edged with red which had been presented by the Russian Tsar in 1814. These last replaced the normal white metal breastplates on certain special occasions.

The hinged lid has a lovely figure of a Garde on horseback at the top, and the hinge bears the same Prussian eagle found on the helmets of the Garde. 

There is no maker mark on the bottom of the stein, however that is not uncommon. The lid is in great shape, and the joint with the hinge is still solid. There is some heavy repaired cracking on the bottom of the stein. The stein measures approximately 11 inches in height, and is 4 1/2" across the base. The glaze is in good condition, showing some heavy cracking in areas. There is a capacity mark for ½ L. There is a lithophane depicting a building with two equestrian statues to each side of the entrance. 

A very impressive display item from the German Empire, one of the best steins we have offered, and the first from the Garde du Corps we’ve ever had. Ready to research and display.