Tooth? Tusk piece?

[TheFossilizer]

Any idea what this mysterious tooth may be to? It was handed down through family, so not exactly sure where it was found originally. 

[Fossildude19]

Nearly impossible to narrow it down confidently, without location information.

 

I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for answers here.  

[Rockwood]

I think the fact that it has been shaped with tools kind of obscures the identity of it. The root end of a tooth might be a reasonable guess. It might be way off though. 

[dries85]

I've seen walrus tusks worked like this before, but i can't seem to find any decent reference pics to prove my point tho 

[Ivaldir]

I agree it has a toothy feeling. The size of it, 20cm long if I see it right, removes a lot of options. So like dries85 said, walrus tusk for instance is an option. But I doubt anyone is going to be able to give more than a guess.

 

Edit: new thought is that this also could be a juvenile or barely erupted tusk, walrus of maybe mastodon or mammoth. This ofcourse has to fit the provenance. I'm not too convinced tools ,ere used, I think only the tip erupted and was smoothed by usage. 2 pictures from the net added with a baby walrus tusk and a baby mammoth tusk.

Edited December 1, 2024 by Ivaldir

[TheFossilizer]

Thank you all for input. Here is a little update as to what I have found out from family:

 

(It has been in the family) Since the civil war….  I hate to even say this, but rumour had it, it may have been stolen out of a museum or somebody’s home. 🤷‍♀️

 

We unfortunately don't know much more than this, other than no tools have shaped it to our knowledge.

In person it does not appear to be a walrus tusk. Is there any other photos we could send to help with identification!? 
 

[Fossildude19]

I'm not convinced this HAS been shaped by tools. It could just be a highly worn, polished tooth.

Of what, ??? I am at a loss.

[Randyw]

LOL! When I first Iooked at the pictures it reminded me of a very very very old piece of well handled deer antler....

 

[Rockwood]

Maybe we think about further back. Something like a Lystrosaur would put a fair amount of wear on its teeth.