It has an inlay on the tailpiece that looks like a sheild with a set of circles in the center of the sheild with three points at the top of the sheild, and black and white pearl striping around the perimiter of the body front and back, there is no internal tag or other apparent markings.

I would be happy to e-mail pictures to you if it helps.

Try this forum. http://www.cozio.com/forum/Default.aspx They specialize in identifying instruments. Can't guarantee you'll get a response, but I'm not a professional instrument identifier so I can't help that much ... Sounds like an interesting violin you have!

Thanks a lot, I appreciate the link.

No problem. Hope you find out what it is! If you do, could you post here and let us know? I'm curious now!