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 28 in a shield in front of the crossed Prussian and National Colors, which is amidst an infantry scene. Above the flats is a green and yellow banner where it is named to Reservist Roeb. There is a red and yellow banner at the bottom of the scene which gives the regimental designation:

1. Komp. Inft. Regt. Goeben 2. Rhein. No. 28, Ehrenbreitstein 1908-10

This is a clear reference to the 28th (2nd Rhenish) Infantry "von Goeben" Regiment, first raised 5 December 1813 and garrisoned in Koblenz at the confluence of the river Moselle and the Rhein. This city in the Rhineland is very old, established as a Roman military post by Drusus around 8 B.C. Its name originates from the Latin (ad) cōnfluentēs, meaning "(at the) confluence". Ehrenbreitstein Fortress overlooks the confluence and the city from the Eastern shore of the Rhein. The 28th regiment was part of the VIII Army Corps, and saw service in WWI, as it was relatively close to the border with France. After this it was dissolved along with much of the German army.

The stein indicates that Spies was in the 1st Kompanie, and served 1908-10. 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.

The lid shows a seated infantry soldier at the top, holding a beer stein in his hand, and there is a saying dedicated to reservists around the bottom of the lid, which reads (translation below):

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

Just below this on the top of the stein is another dedication to reservists:

Brüder ſtoßt die Gläſer an, hoch lebe der Reſervemann
Brothers clink glasses, long live the reserve man!

The bottom of the stain has the number 658 stamped into the bottom of it, with no other markings. The lid is in very good condition, with no dents or deformation around the bottom, though the joint around the hinge is a bit cracked. The handle to hinge connection is very solid. The stein measures approximately 12 1/4 inches in height, and is 4 1/4 inches across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, showing some cracking in areas. It is also marked with 1/2L under the hinge, the typical capacity for these steins.

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