Question about Ivory

[Dominus_Lex]

As normal it's a long story, but I wound up with a chunk of what I think may be ivory (photos attached). My guess is warthog, but that is nothing more then a guess. It's 12.5" from end to end, between 2" and 2.5" wide on the carved side and about 1.25" thick, weigh is about 30oz. As you can see it is a damaged piece of scrimshaw. Given the damage I'm thinking ivory grips might be a good use, but am open to ideas?

Questions????

Is warthog ivory (assuming that's what it is) any less verboten then walrus or whale?

Anyone know of someone to make up grips, and have any recommendations?

From what little research I have done, even the US Fish and Wildlife Service is all over the place on what you can and cannot do with ivory. Any one have a good feel for the "rules"... keep in mind have no desire for a extended leave from civil society, care of the US Govt.

For the record I'm not thinking about dolphins and whales on my 1911...

[bushmaster1313]

You might have trouble getting someone to work ivory that you supply.

If you must send it interstate, disguise it as a shipment of illegal drugs.

[tompehret]

I've seen some scrimshaw, lots of good, lots of crude. That looks like some of the nicest I've ever seen. Any idea of the age or who did it? I realize the tusk is chipped/damaged but if it were mine I'd keep it as is and on display. Lots of grips available out there if you want them badly enough.

[woodsltc]

Can't talk about it......last time I commented in an Ivory thread I did a "no-no" and was sent on unpaid leave for a few days.

Don

[diamonback68]

Looking at the texture, hollowness and curvature, that is not elephant ivory. Looks like some form of horn material. JMHO

[Stevens]

I saw lots of warthog tusks when I used to travel to South Africa. I would say that is what you have. Although it is strange to have a whaling motif scrimshaw on one. Any idea where it was done?
I believe US Customs service would be the best source of information on legality.
Steve W

[Badger Matt]

Looks like some hippo teeth to me.

[Onomea]

That is beautiful work. I second the idea of leaving it as it is.

Ivory 1911 panels are cheaper than revolver grips. I got some for an officer's model ---- Is that right? The shorter grip and bbl -- for $130 or so a few years ago, though that was a very good price, I think.

[handejector]

Originally Posted by Badger Matt

Looks like some hippo teeth to me.

Correct.
That is positively a hippo tusk.

[J. R. WEEMS]

These are the only hippo ivory I have--

[NE450No2]

Yes, it is definately a Hippo tusk.

[rog8732]

Judging from the subjects in the scrimshaw, I would guess that piece came from something that had habitat in or near water.

It is well done and would be worth more to me than a set of grips.

Legal ? Once you have asked deep enough into the "agencies" to find out, it may be too late to say no thanks, I don't want to know.

[bushmaster1313]

Flickr has this photo at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rsharp08/3147950923/

[Robotech]

If you want to use real ivory, you might consider using mammoth ivory.

At over 10,000 years old, from a species that's been extinct since the last ice age, it's been legal buy, if a little expensive for larger pieces.

I'm considering using a small "scrap" piece I picked up at a gem and jewelry show to make a replacement bead sight for an old shotgun I inherited, where the original ivory bead has broken off.

[islamoradamark]

when they dug the Alaskien pipe line they found alot of fossilized walrus ivory, that was made into lot of stuff

[LazyKB]

Don't know about hippo, but wart hog tusk do not fall under the ivory rule. You can buy bottle and letter, etc. openers with wart hog tusk handles on the net and airport gift shops in Africa. Brought one through customs myself.

[BearBio]

Might be hippo=from the size I would say that's most likely/ The growth ridges may indicate some member of the swine family.

Remember: USFWS only has about 250 Special Agents to cover the whole United States. Plus a few animal inspectors at airports and customs sheds. (Inspectors and APHIS have limited jurisdiction). I don't think they will have a whole lot of time dealing with "mom and pop's curios". This is a diversion to take the attention away from the President's other issues. (An Executive Order is, by definition, limited in scope=it is not a law, per se.

[rburg]

What I don't understand is how those expert inspectors can tell Elephant ivory from all the other similar white substances.

And then the problem escalates. Is the entire shotgun confiscated because it has a tiny white bead? And the Steinway Piano.

[jag312]

"We can't tell if it is elephant ivory or not, but we'll seize it anyhow and then return your gun to you when and after we determine it is not elephant ivory."

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Originally Posted by Stevens

Although it is strange to have a whaling motif scrimshaw on one. Any idea where it was done?
I believe US Customs service would be the best source of information on legality.
Steve W

Originally Posted by handejector

Correct.
That is positively a hippo tusk.

You obviously have not read the book "Moby Fred" About the ill fated trip of the owner of this forum as he hunted in vain for the great white hippo that took his leg as Lee mistakenly thought Moby Fred was just a big fat plow mule and tried to saddle him. Truly a classic.

[Dominus_Lex]

Thanks to everyone for the input.... Based on the photo's I'm inclined to say Hippo. To answer some of the questions my great aunt spent a fair amount of time in Hawaii in her later years. While the signature is not as clear as the rest of the work I believe it's the work of a CA artist Peter Kinney. I found his work at several galleries on Maui, which fits with my aunt's history. Allowing for the "Maui discount" it appears to be quite expensive at retail, but AS IS who knows.... That said it's really not my style (pretty yes but I have too much "stuff" as it is), so it may find it's way to the trading block. If any of you have any interest let me know.

Thanks again