Mastodon tusk

[edteach]

I picked this up at an estate sale today. Its appx 2x1 inches Mastodon ivory. If its real it looks like it was sold as a collectible piece of tusk. I see no marks that say who produced it for sale. Anyone know anything about this? Thanks I only paid $1 for it so if its fake I am not out much.

Edited August 24 by edteach

[jikohr]

Maybe, can we see some pictures of the ends?

[edteach]

Sure,

[Randyw]

It’s a little blurry but I think I can see schreger lines. Thats a good sign if they are

[jikohr]

Okay, you see the cris cross pattern on the first picture of the sides? It looks like it's making a bunch of "X"s? That's called Schreger Lines and they're a telltale sign of Proboscidean ivory which includes Mastodon.

 

Now is it Mastodon and not Mammoth, no idea. But it is a tusk fragment from and elephant relative!

[Rockwood]

Definitely ivory. The angle formed by the intersection of the lines is how the two are distinguished. It's not an easy thing to determine, but the information is available online. 

[edteach]

Thanks. I know Mastodon tusk and Mammoth tusk are available at my local Knife store. Russel's. They sell it and other kinds for knife handles. 

[Rockwood]

11 minutes ago, edteach said:

Thanks. I know Mastodon tusk and Mammoth tusk are available at my local Knife store. Russel's. They sell it and other kinds for knife handles. 

There ya go. Bring a lens and pretend you know what you're looking for.