This is one of those GREAT play-on-names makers marks.
It it supposed to be a goose.
The name of the family (and company) is Gierling which is related to the german word "gierig" which means "greedy". In germany it was said that geese are greedy, therefore this company used the "greedy goose" to represent their name (and company).
I don't think it is conicidence either that the companies initials are in his fat belly!
VERY cool mark!
