Original Imperial German Pre-WWI Kgl. Bayerisches 13. Infanterie-Regiment Franz Josef I., Kaiser von Österreich Beer Stein with Hinged Lid - Dated 1898-1900

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 under the lid with the following unit information:

13. Inf. Rgt. Kais. Franz Josef v. Oesterr. 4 Comp. 98/1900 Ingolstodt.

This is a clear reference to the 13th Royal Bavarian Infantry "Franz Josef" regiment, part of the 6th Bavarian Division during World War I. The 6. Bayer. Division served on the Western Front. It fought initially in the Battle of the Frontiers. It then served in the area between the Meuse and Moselle Rivers until July 1916, seeing action on the Meuse heights, by St. Mihiel, and in the Bois-brulé. In July and August 1916, the Division fought in the Battle of Verdun, and afterwards went into combat in the Argonne Forest. At the end of September 1916, it fought in the Battle of the Somme.

The Division suffered heavy losses in both of these battles. From October 1916 into 1918, the Division occupied the trenchlines in Flanders and the Artois, and fought in the Battle of Arras and the Battle of Passchendaele. It then fought in the 1918 German Spring Offensive, fighting in the First Battle of the Somme (1918), also known as the Second Battle of the Somme (to distinguish it from the 1916 battle). After a period in the trenches in Flanders and near Verdun, the Division fought in the Second Battle of the Somme (1918), also known as the Third Battle of the Somme. It continued resisting various Allied offensives until the end of the war. Allied intelligence rated the Division as one of the very best German divisions.

Near the bottom, the stein is named to Sborn(?) George Nefzger. The stein indicates that Nefzger was in the 4th Company, and served from 1898-1900. 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 inscriptions on the body of the stein, probably patriotic phrases and maybe poems or the like.

The lid is decorative without any inscriptions, and the hinge has a Bavarian lion.

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. The stein has a heavy layer of wear across it and the hinge is very tight. The stein measures approximately 9 ¼ inches in height, and is 3 3/4 inches across the base. The glaze is in very good condition, with no cracking we can see, but there is some wear and scuffing. The bottom of the inside has an embossed "lithopane" design that shows a soldier bidding farewell to his sweetheart, which can be seen by holding the bottom up to the light.

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