Original Imperial German WWI Era Portly Character Otto von Bismarck Stein with Hinged Lid by Musterschutz

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 great WWI era character stein, depicting the bust of Otto von Bismarck wearing his signature Kurassier pickelhaube with laurel leaves coming from the back. The bottom of the stein is marked MUSTERSCHUTZ, the maker.

The stein measures roughly 7 1/2” tall with a 4 ¼ x 3 ½” base. It is capacity-marked on the interior 0.5L for half of a liter. There is some oxidation to the interior but it has held up well overall.

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