AKTIENBRAUEREI ZUM HASEN "AUGSBURG" - Masskrug
Brewery: Aktienbrauerei zum Hasen, Augsburg
Stein characteristics used to help date this stein or masskrug:
The Hook-Style “L” capacity mark.
1. The hook-style “L” used in capacity marks (like “1L”) is not a strong dating tool on its own. It appears across many decades—from as early as the 1920s up into the 1970s or even beyond, depending on the manufacturer.
2. The “U” That Looks Like a “V” (see lettering on this stein)
Much more helpful. That specific typographic feature—where U’s are carved or printed as V’s—is a throwback to:
• Classical Latin typographic conventions (there was no “U” in ancient Latin—V did double duty),
• Heavily used in Fraktur and blackletter typefaces,
• Most commonly found in Germany pre-WWII, especially 1910s to 1930s.
So, when you see that “V-for-U” font, especially in combination with bold serif or Gothic lettering, it tends to push the mug’s likely date earlier, most commonly to the interwar period or earlier.
3. Potter’s Lines on Handle.
• If only the handle has throw lines while the body is smooth (like this stein) that typically means the handle was hand-applied.
• This technique was more common pre-WW2 through early postwar years (1930s–1950s).
• Later fully molded mugs often have smoother, mass-produced handles.
4. Calibration Line Proximity to Rim (on lidless mugs).
This can be very helpful, however, I decided to hold off on actually measuring the calibration lines to rim until a later date. I’m just trying to get the collection catalogued for now and that would add more time to the process. But, in very general terms:
• Pre-1960s regulations in Germany required the fill line to be close to the rim, particularly when the mug had a lid.
• For lidless mugs, especially after 1960s, the calibration line could be placed lower.
• Longer distance from rim = likely post-60s unless it was meant for foam head space (e.g., wheat beer mugs).
Key Takeaway
No single feature alone confirms a date, but layering multiple characteristics like font style, glaze, rim taper, handle technique, potter’s throw lines, and calibration line placement gives a much stronger case.
Lastly, the previous owner (German in Germany) of this masskrug was certain of its age as 1930s.
So, given the collective information, I’m fairly confident with c. 1930s.
As always, I welcome and appreciate your feedback.
View the collection of Jorge O. Soriano
| type | stein | material | stoneware |
| producer | mold | - | |
| designer/decorator | |||
| capacity | 1L | ||
| design date | c. 1930s |
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