Antique Musical Instruments/J. GRAS BUGLE Made in France

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Expert: - 5/18/2011


Question

J. GRAS BUGLE
I received a vintage brass bugle with the following stamped on the horn:
'JG'(Insignia)
Brevete S.G.D.G.
J. GRAS
Fournisseurs de L'Armee
et des
Conservatoires
grand Prix
Lille 1920
Ghent 1923
12. Chausee D'Antin
Made in France
Paris
'Star symbol'

I have researched and understand the markings however, I do not know who the maker is. I am confused by some that say Brevette is a model name used by Besson, yet the word brevete is simply patented. J. Gras was a dealer and the address 12. rue de la Chausee D'Antin in Paris was a a department store named Aux Galeries Lafayette. The address was suppose to refer to the manufacturer I thought. I have seen other identical models with the engraving of the grand prix cities and dates in reverse order with Ghent 1923 listed first on the bell. I've attached a couple of pics as I scoured the website you suggested and did not find one like this. Your expertise is appreciated.

Answer
I don't have any answers for you, but a couple of comments.  

Brevette - means patented.  A number of makers including Besson use the term on their instruments.  

Gras was at least a dealer, but may have also been a maker.  Thibouville may have been one of the suppliers of instruments for Gras.  Thibouville also used Brevette and Fournisseur de l'armee on their instruments.

Grand Prix has come to be associated with auto races, but simply means great prize and can refer to most any kind of competition.  The Lille and Ghent dates don't match up with auto events.  I thought they were World Exhibitions - but they don't seem to match up with them either.  

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Kenton Scott

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Please note: My area is BRASS instruments, not other wind, string or percussion instruments. I will provide information on antique, obscure and out of production BRASS instruments. 1) Please don't ask for evaluations, I'll not provide them on this site. 2) I am often asked very similar questions, so I'd invite you to first check on Horn-u-Copia.net. Much of the information I have garnered about this topic, I have posted on this WEB site.

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