WW1 Imperial Prussian Army Pfeife – CERAMIC RESERVIST PIPE – INFANTRY REGT. 131

You are bidding on a VERY NICE example of a WW1 Imperial PrussianMilitary Reservists Ceramic Smoking Pipe! This example is named to Gefreiter August Schoning of Infantry Regiment No. 131 and features detailed hand-painted patriotic imagery along with regimental inscriptions!These Regimental Pipes(Reservistenpfeifen)were primarily made from 1890 to 1914 and were commissioned by active duty servicemen who were coming to the end of their mandatory service. The government-mandated service was somewhat unique — men signed up at age 17 and would sign up with a specific regiment. They then stayed with that regiment for their entire term of service, including training. After completing their term, they entered into the reserves until the age of 45. For those who wanted to commemorate their service, some forethought had to be given.Typically, a group of enlisted would order their souvenirs together to reduce costs, and even then, these souvenirs would cost five to seven week's wages. Understandably, only 10% of servicemen were able to purchase these. The most popular was a walking stick (the least expensive), followed by beer steins (the most collected item today), and then ceramic hand pipes, picture frames, and schnapps flasks. Once brought home, these mementos would often be displayed on a shelf or in a cabinet rather than be used.The Pipes typically featured detailed ceramic bowls with hand-painted scenes, regimental references, patriotic imagery, and inscriptions relating to the soldier's unit and period of service.Made of ceramic, wood, and early composite materials (likely bakelite or gutta percha), this Reservist's Pipe is in VERY NICE condition! It features a beautifully hand-painted ceramic bowl with colorful scenes and detailed regimental inscriptions. The pipe is named toGefreiter August SchoningofInfantry Regiment No. 131, denoting his service with the5th Company in Metz circa 1887. The decoration remains CLEAR and ATTRACTIVE overall, including detailed scene descriptions such as: 'Where are you heading, Schoning? Home, Herr Feldwebel,' along with imagery of Schoning riding a billy goat with a woman holding its tail. Additional humorous text appears on the reverse, including: 'For heavens sake goat, don't go on. Dear August, don't leave me alone,' and 'Goat, run away, or else the old b*tch will follow me home,' followed by a commemorative inscription referencing his service duties. The pipe retains its original ornate helmet-style brass lid, and all painted scenes remain vibrant. The bowl shows NO REPAIRS and only slight age-related yellowing. The stem is constructed of wood with an early composite flexible section, showing some light looseness consistent with age but no cracks or damage. The pipe also retains its original hanging cord with tassel in white and red Overall, a VERY NICE and desirable Imperial German reservist pipe, PERFECT for any collection or display!