The initials are for Georges Vincent-Genod. I'm guessing that there is some connection to the present day Genod pipes.
Indeed, Georges Vincent Genod was the Grand Father of Jacques Craen,the maker of the Genod Pipe for many, many years. The GVG stamp ensures that that stummel is quite old as that stamp was changed when Jacques started making the pipes, not exactly sure when but probably 1960's? That's a very beautiful and a very old, either pre or very close to turn of the century pipe and probably one of the bunch of pipes that, good buddy, Jacques Craen, the original family owner of Genod pipes, found a number of years ago in the "sub-basement" of the Genod factory, what a story that was! These were pre and turn of the century bowls (stummels) that he came upon and which were forgotten about from that time.
That's a horn stem,bone tenon and cork insert inside the shank. Jacques sells these, actually, whatever is left of them, each year in Chicago, at least that is when I get to see him. Sometimes I just can't pass on some of these historic pieces and find I always come home with a couple, given the very affordable price he sells them for.
The current day Genod pipe is made by a young fellow and friend, Sebastian Beaud who purchased the name from Jacques when he retired a number of years ago. It's all there on the link provided earlier.
Great historic piece of briar you got there!
