Identifying a Vintage Bow
 

I've become the lucky owner of a very wonderful old bow. Aesthetically it is certainly not pleasing or in the best shape but the sound is absolutely fantastic and is perfectly balanced. I purchased it from a very well known Parisian bassist that owned it for twenty odd years and made his career on it. The wood is not expensive, maybe some sort of Brazilwood but I do not think Pernambuco. Shorter than your modern French bow. No ferrule. Butterfly screw

It is written "VI" at the tip.

The bow does have a stamp on the frog but it is difficult to make out since it was left under strings for many years and sustained damage.

What I can make out is that there is definitely an ellipse (circle) and within it the words"

"A BROS" and underneath it "CLT"...

It could also be "A GROS" or "GROG" and OLT or some sort of variant.

Playing length of hair is a touch under 20"

Frog is short at 27mm in height

The previous owner suggests it is French or German from around 1875-1900.

It was also extremely inexpensive, which for me is fantastic.

Thanks for any help!

Photos:

http://www.picstation.net/show-image...eaaa81fd7cc0e8

http://www.picstation.net/show-image.php?id=49f16f4559818bb046286ae521dec302

http://www.picstation.net/show-image.php?id=2087610dca601e0a7ed30cbe7dce0ade

http://www.picstation.net/show-image.php?id=9be7634899a34f645d145f3c91963fe3

http://www.picstation.net/show-image.php?id=42df8a6554319badaf5504fcd23e2e63

http://www.picstation.net/show-image.php?id=0be24b98e5d8df304689c60c7b889ad2

http://www.picstation.net/show-image.php?id=fbdd7f252d956090bb88607c055f95f1