Imperial German 117th Infantry Regiment Victoria Melita Reservist Stein

Description

11/6/26 - For sale is an Imperial German reservist's stein to the 3rd Grand Ducal Hessian Infantry Regiment "Victoria Melita" No. 117, garrisoned at Mainz. The base band reads "3. Grossherzogl. Hess. Inf. Regt. Victoria Melita No. 117 / Mainz," and the central scroll reads "Erinnerung an meine Dienstzeit bei der 9. Comp." (in memory of my service with the 9th Company). The reservist's name, Kranz, appears at the top of the front panel, which shows a gilt crown over a red-and-blue cipher flanked by flags, oak leaves, drums and infantrymen. The side panels show infantry advancing with a flag and soldiers resting around a campfire, each with a verse beneath, and both sides carry rosters of comrades' names, one signed off "9/117". The rim band reads "Es lebe hoch das Regiment, das sich mit Stolz Victoria Melita nennt" (long live the regiment that proudly calls itself Victoria Melita) and is marked 0.5 L. The pewter lid has an embossed dome topped by a seated soldier in a spiked helmet with his arm raised, and the thumblift is a crowned rampant lion. The interior bottom has a molded relief panel. The colors remain bright, with a small green paint fleck and a few minor marks on the handle. A great display piece for any Imperial German collection.