Marg,

If there is a hole at the top of the handle or indentations on the sides at the top of the handle, then a lid was intended. This could be bought without the lid so the owner could have one attached later. This is not a stein, but rather a pouring pitcher. Based on the hand holding it, it is rather small so it may have been a salesman’s sample or intended for a child. If it says West Germany, then it would date to its creation on 23 May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990. Are there any other marks on it?

Marg,

What large number?

Marg,

The old firm Matthias Girmscheid used large mold numbers in the modern era. I have one of their catalogs (F) from circa 1960 and mold 2670 is shown as 1/2 liter Schnaubenkannen, snort jug. The catalog is in black and white, but it appears it was done in cobalt blue and grey versus your brown color. It is also shown without a lid and I don’t think it was intended to have one. This was probably intended for use for pouring schnapps. There may have been cups or shot glasses to go with it, but they are not shown in the catalog. Several smaller steins are shown (1/16, 1/8 and 1/4 liter), but not with the same scene of a troubadour. Your jug probably dates from the 1960s even though it says Germany. The catalog says Germany and although it is not dated, it is not likely prior to 1949 or after reunification in 1990. I doubt they intended to export this item, and therefore weren’t required to use West Germany on the bottom.

Don’t drink too much schnapps from your jug at happy hour!

Ron