Very interesting piece. I think the inscription was added later, because the tankard itself looks mid-19th century to me. The device (or letter?) after the L&C is probably of some significance. I don't recognize the mark (are there any others?) but it could be German or Swiss.
What I find most interesting, however, is the inscription. The Stickstoff Syndikat (Nitrogen Syndicate) was formed in 1919 by the unification of several nitrogen producers. Germany was a leading force behind new production methods for nitrogen, advancing the technology of fertilizers . . . and explosives. During WWII, the Stickstoff Syndikat was part of the large German chemical conglomerate IG Farben, which later became the defendant at the
6th Nuremburg trial. The director of the Stickstoff Syndikat, Heinrich Oster, was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity and sentenced to 2 years.
The inscription and 1938 date suggests a possible connection to German industrial militarism on the eve of WWII. Your tankard may have a very interesting story, indeed, and I suggest you take your research beyond this forum to museums and libraries to see if you can find out more.
