I just concluded a conversation via e-mail with one of the QMx guys about the accuracy of their stein versus the original prop. I have one of the original steins (not screen-used, but the Navy Enduring Freedom stein, converted to a BSG Top Gun stein with screen-accurate graphics). In comparing the two, the size, construction, and detail are all significantly different between the QMx version and the original German constructed stein.
The QMx pre-sale advertising described their stein as an "Exact 1:1 scale replica of the screen used prop". When I questioned their "exact replica" claim, a QMx customer service guy sent me an image of the screen-used prop from the Propworx auction to prove that their replica was indeed a screen accurate match. I sent him back his image after adding add'l pix of some of the differences I had found (see image below). I didn't point out the fact that the handle is considerably taller and wider on the QMx stein, that the jet fighter on the lid is larger and in a different position, or any of the other differences I noticed as the guy didn't really seem to care much about my concern for the preciseness of their replication and was sticking to his guns regarding the 1:1 claim (there was something about it qualifying as a 1:1 because it wasn't miniaturized?).
In all fairness to QMx, they're probably still on the defensive after the "Kat" fiasco, so I wasn't really expecting much in the way of a concession or admission of failure. Final word from them was "if you're not happy, return it for a refund". I'll probably keep it as it was pretty inexpensive given what it is, and the two steins look really good next to each other on the shelf (except for the difference in height).
BTW, mine came in the branded box inside a larger shipping box with no damage, although I can confirm that the outer box was only partially filled with styro peanuts like other posters describe. Guess I got lucky there.
@B-Movie Zombie - I have one of the screen used pyramid balls and would be happy to shoot some scale pictures and take measurements of it if someone is serious about replicating one.