Original Imperial German WWI Era 2nd Royal Bavarian Uhlans “König” Lidded Beer Stein with Portrait of Soldier in Glaze - Dated 1910-1913

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. After the War Ended, the much reduced German armed forces now had ample resources to produce steins, and production was restarted.

This is a very high quality original Imperial German Regimental beer stein for a member of the Uhlan. These were usually ordered in groups for a particular regiment, and this example is marked for the 2nd Royal Bavarian Uhlan Regiment. The last names of the men of the company are to the left and right, and there is a maker’s mark behind the hinge for Carl Schnürlein of Ansbach, Bavaria. The other side of the stein has depictions of these men in Battle on horseback and on the homefront. We can certainly tell that the names of these men were hand-painted, not printed. This example is named to Ulan Sirt. The top of the stein under the lid has the regimental designation:

2. Ulan.-Regt. “König” 2. Esk. Ansbach. 10/13

This is short for Königliche Bayerische 2. Ulanen Regiment "König". This is a clear reference to the 2nd Royal Bavarian Uhlan Regiment, a Bavarian Army Cavalry Regiment formed in 1863 in Ansbach. From 6 July 1864 it was nominally commanded by King Ludwig II of Bavaria until he was succeeded by King Otto of Bavaria on 13 June 1886.

The stein indicates that Sirt was in the 2nd Squadron, serving from 1910 to 1913 in Ansbach, 

The bottom of the stein has a lithopane depicting King Ludwig II, the original commander of the regiment. At the time Germany had mandatory military service for all able-bodied males. 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 very standard with floral motifs. The stein measures roughly 10 ¼” in height, and is 4 ¼” across the base. The glaze is in good shape although there is color loss along the bottom edge with some cracking underneath. There is no size marked, but it is most likely 0.5 Liters, the standard capacity for these.

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