~ Regimental Steins ~ Collecting Beer Steins - An Introduction to the Hobby

Germany became a major world power in the late 19th century. Between 1890 and 1914 the German government required all eligible men to spend two or three years in the military. 

At that time some recruits, just prior to the completion of their time in training, purchased a souvenir "in remembrance of my service time." Often this was a stein made from porcelain, pottery, stoneware or glass decorated in a motif symbolizing the recruit's branch of service and personalized with his name, garrison town, military unit designation and his years of service. 

Each regimental stein tells a complete story and every facet of the stein is symbolic. 

The finial related to the type of unit, with a cannon depicting the artillery; a seated soldier, the infantry; and a horse and rider with a lance, the cavalry. 

The thumblift is also part of the story: a rampant lion depicts Bavaria or Hessian; an eagle - Prussia; and the griffin - Baden. 

The body of a regimental stein usually has a central scene and two or more smaller side scenes. Many steins have a roster, usually near the handle, listing the names of the reservists in the original owner's unit. 

Most porcelain regimentals have lithophanes with domestic, farewell or royalty scenes. 

If a regimental stein has either or both of the following: a lithophane with a nude scene, or a small bulge inside the curve of the handle, this indicates the stein is a reproduction. If the pewter lid has the same patina inside and out and the body shows no indication of any enamel highlighting, the stein is possibly a reproduction.