Many steins can be identified once the manufacturer and form or mold number are known. This is especially true of Mettlach steins. Character steins can sometimes be identified by description of the figure, material and markings. Regimental steins are so detailed and individualized that photos are necessary.
Please understand that photos are usually critical to identifying a stein. Describing the stein as “6½ inches tall, no lid, two people talking, blue background, some words in German” is about as distinctive as referring to a car as having “four wheels and windows.”