An inheritance gift - pre-WW-I German Beer Stein

[Double-O-Dave]

Good morning:

My very dear Mother-in-law recently passed after a bout of pneumonia. She was a German lady that with the exception of vacations, spent her life (she was 94 yrs. old when she passed) in her hometown of Wiesbaden, Germany. She knew I had served as a Medic in the U.S. Army, and of my fondness of history and the military.

My wife and I recently traveled to Wiesbaden to attend her funeral, and I was informed she left me a small gift - the beer stein of my late father-in-law's father, Valentin Kochhan. Valentin served as a medic in the German army during WW-I. He served as a reservist from 1911 to 1913, and was activated to the regular German army in 1914, and served in France.

My understanding is that the soldiers would order their steins, and the steins would be customized per their specifications. To me, one really neat feature was the image of the soldier with his sweetheart, and of course, holding a beer stein - the soldier returned safely back home to his beloved. Included in the photos is a picture of Valentin with his sweetheart on their wedding day.

I was very touched with this remembrance from my dear mother-in-law. She was a wonderful lady who treated me better than my own mother. I find it absolutely amazing this stein survived two World Wars.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Doug627]

Great story, but no photograph.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

An inheritance gift - pre-WW-I German Beer Stein (Part 2)

Sorry, I'm having problems attaching photos. Hopefully, there should be 3 more photos here.

Regards,

Dave

 

[walkin jack]

That is very cool! But it would never work for me. If I tried to drink beer out of it after about 3 or 4 I'd surely put my eye out.

Great pics and great post!

 

[DeathGrip]

That's a beauty and a great gift.

I have about twenty and most are pretty old. I got most from my FIL Gert who lived in Nurnberg where my wife was born.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I've got a couple that came from my Grandfather of German decent!


Cool but never found them practical.....................

 

[timn8er]

That IS a beauty!

 

[the ringo kid]

Good morning:

My very dear Mother-in-law recently passed after a bout of pneumonia. She was a German lady that with the exception of vacations, spent her life (she was 94 yrs. old when she passed) in her hometown of Wiesbaden, Germany. She knew I had served as a Medic in the U.S. Army, and of my fondness of history and the military.

My wife and I recently traveled to Wiesbaden to attend her funeral, and I was informed she left me a small gift - the beer stein of my late father-in-law's father, Valentin Kochhan. Valentin served as a medic in the German army during WW-I. He served as a reservist from 1911 to 1913, and was activated to the regular German army in 1914, and served in France.

My understanding is that the soldiers would order their steins, and the steins would be customized per their specifications. To me, one really neat feature was the image of the soldier with his sweetheart, and of course, holding a beer stein - the soldier returned safely back home to his beloved. Included in the photos is a picture of Valentin with his sweetheart on their wedding day.

I was very touched with this remembrance from my dear mother-in-law. She was a wonderful lady who treated me better than my own mother. I find it absolutely amazing this stein survived two World Wars.

Regards,

Dave

Congrats to you on inheritance--sorry for the passing of a relative thought. Regimental Bier Steins are VERY valuable-and I know youd never part with it. I have a couple myself.

Value also depends on how many liters the stein holds. The largest one i saw at a shop on Goslar--was 3 liters. How much does yours hold?

 

[the ringo kid]

Sorry, I'm having problems attaching photos. Hopefully, there should be 3 more photos here.

Regards,

Dave

The ones with images on the bottom are the most desirable. You have a great example for sure.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Congrats to you on inheritance--sorry for the passing of a relative thought. Regimental Bier Steins are VERY valuable-and I know youd never part with it. I have a couple myself.

Value also depends on how many liters the stein holds. The largest one i saw at a shop on Goslar--was 3 liters. How much does yours hold?

Thank you, Ringo, for your kind words. Best guess is that mine holds a liter - I'll never know as I don't plan on putting any liquids, or anything else in it.

Regards,

Dave

 

[italiansport]

The ones with images on the bottom are the most desirable. You have a great example for sure.

To add to ringo's post:
The image in the bottom of the stein is called a Lithopane and in general are a good indication you have a vintage stein. Lithopanes are rarely seen in steins after this period.
Jim

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

... the beer stein of my late father-in-law's father, Valentin Kochhan. Valentin served as a medic in the German army during WW-I. ....

The military scene depicted looks 19th Century. Franco-Prussian War maybe. Date on the stien reads "1911-13".

 

[shouldazagged]

A splendid gift from someone who clearly held you in high regard.

Like you, I'm amazed it survived, and in such wonderful condition.

 

[DWalt]

There are lots of stein collectors. I don't know much about them. My father had several very nice and very old ones, but after he died, they were all sold off at an estate sale. I wish I had kept them, but at the time I wasn't interested in such things.

 

[Absalom]

I could tell you exactly what the Stein commemoration includes, but I'd need to see the complete circular writing in context.

From the fragments, it is commemorating his time of service (Dienstzeit) from 1911 to 1913 in the city of Darmstadt in some kind of Lifeguards (Leibgarde, not the poolside kind ). There seems to be a unit, maybe regimental number of some kind. But as I said, I can only make out fragments.

Neat artefact.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Very nice stein. I would say that is a keeper! I have a modest collection and inherited some more authentic ones from my father.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Thanks to all who have responded. As in most things, when money is involved, the less than honest have found ways to exploit the lack of knowledge, and/or greed of others. Here is a link to an interesting, and informative article I found on the web about these German Army Regimental Beer Steins: Regimental Beer Steins

Regards,

Dave

 

[the ringo kid]

Thank you, Ringo, for your kind words. Best guess is that mine holds a liter - I'll never know as I don't plan on putting any liquids, or anything else in it.

Regards,

Dave

1 liter is the standard size. None the less-it's one of the nicest ive ever seen. Its great that a relative has the actual stein as purchased by a family member who it belonged to--which is also very rare.

 

[deadin]

Any of these worth anything??

 

[deadin]

Here's some more small ones.....