crustacean dactylus? Jaw bone?

[SeaJay]

My mom found this on the beach in Wilmington North Carolina while hunting for shells. I've done some image searches online and my best guess is that its a dactylus or pincher from some type of large crustacean or crab. The piece is approximately 6 inches long. My parents thought it could be a jaw bone of some type of sea creature. Any help or best guesses would be appreciated! 

Edited September 12, 2021 by SeaJay
Location of find

[Tidgy's Dad]

Yes, I think you are right. 

Part of a crustaccean pincer. 

[SeaJay]

The dactylus pieces I've found online are smaller than this. It being 6.25 inches means it must have come from a fairly large crustacean. I'm not sure if there are any crustaceans with pinchers this large that still exist. Is there a way to estimate the period or age of the piece  based off of when crustaceans this large existed? Any idea which crustacean it may have belonged to? Any crustacean experts part of the TFF community? 

Thanks for the feedback.

[Fossildude19]

@MB

[sixgill pete]

I dont get a crustacean vibe from this. I'm thinking part of a broken mollusc, something like a helmut shell columella.

Edited September 12, 2021 by sixgill pete

[SeaJay]

@sixgill pete I think you are correct sir. You are good. I feel satisfied with that answer. Another mystery solved by the TFF community. Thanks for your help!

[Carl]

I completely agree with it being a broken part of a helmut shell, but the shell lip rather than the columella.

[MB]

On 9/12/2021 at 8:14 PM, Fossildude19 said:

@MB

Not crustacean IMHO