Hum, so was there an Albert & an Alphonse Bernard? This patent, whatever, gives that Alphonse Bernard had a novel pattern welded tube making idea and was the owner of an encircled AB:

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge/artisans%20identifies%20b/a%20bernard%20alphonse%20gb.htm
Alphonse Bernard at Littlegun
Unless Alphonse is some other French term.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse