Busse 711C – Crosscut Medallion? Natural Pattern or Coincidence?

[ypows]

Picked up this from the Busse Custom Shop drop earlier this year — a Nano Fusion Warpath tagged #711C.

I knew it was crosscut mammoth ivory, but only later did I notice a near-perfect circular grain — dead center of the handle.

I’ve shown it to a few people — some say it looks like a medallion, others say it’s a stag in the medallion or even a demon from a forgotten age.

Either way, I’ve never seen a crosscut piece like this before.

Curious — have you ever come across natural grain patterns like this in fossil ivory? Or is this just a freak, one-of-a-kind case?

https://imgur.com/a/ef6mJ0I

Handle photo (crosscut grain):

https://imgur.com/a/ef6mJ0I

 

[ypows]

Has anyone seen a naturally occurring ivory pattern like this before?

 

[ypows]

Picked this up earlier this year from a Busse Custom Shop drop — a Nano Fusion Warpath, tagged #711C Crosscut mammoth ivory.

It features a beautiful crosscut mammoth ivory handle, but what stood out to me is the circular grain pattern in the middle of the handle. Some people say it looks like a medallion, others have mentioned a stag in the medallion or even a demon shape embedded in fossil.

Here are a few photos:

https://imgur.com/a/ef6mJ0I

Have you ever seen something like this in mammoth ivory before?
Is this a fluke, or have other crosscut pieces shown similar patterns?

Any input would be appreciated — I’m just blown away by the organic symmetry of this handle.

 

[navman]

I see crosscut mammoth ivory like that on knife and gun grips regularly.

Raffir fossils sells it (stabilized) through several supply stores.

 

[madcap_magician]

Looks like normal crosscut mammoth ivory. It's just the core of the tusk. Nice piece, though.

 

[MacLaren1]

My goodness that is just stunning
Congratulations on that score ...

 

[David Brown]

as many said looks like a normal Crosscut.

Pretty neato

 

[MissesMeow]

OK, since we’re talking about mammoth ivory, I have to ask a question that I have been too scared to ask for a long time. Does “mammoth ivory” refer to ivory from *woolly mammoths*? I mean, there can’t be so much woolly mammoth ivory floating around that we’re using it for knife handles, right? That just doesn’t seem possible. My brain can’t comprehend how that could be true. It *can’t* be true … right?

 

[TENTEX]

OK, since we’re talking about mammoth ivory, I have to ask a question that I have been too scared to ask for a long time. Does “mammoth ivory” refer to ivory from *woolly mammoths*? I mean, there can’t be so much woolly mammoth ivory floating around that we’re using it for knife handles, right? That just doesn’t seem possible. My brain can’t comprehend how that could be true. It *can’t* be true … right?

Yes. It’s harvested quite often in Alaska and Russia/Siberia from melting permafrost. The ones in not collector quality whole tusks are then cross cut and stabilized and sold. Same with their molars

Link for example:

Mammoth Cross Cut Scales | Ice Age Crafts

www.iceagecrafts.com

 

[TENTEX]

Short 10 minute video here on the hunting/harvesting:

 

[ypows]

I see crosscut mammoth ivory like that on knife and gun grips regularly.

Raffir fossils sells it (stabilized) through several supply stores.

I see crosscut mammoth ivory like that on knife and gun grips regularly.

Raffir fossils sells it (stabilized) through several supply stores.

I see crosscut mammoth ivory like that on knife and gun grips regularly.

Raffir fossils sells it (stabilized) through several supply stores.

You’re totally right — stabilized crosscut mammoth ivory is more common these days, and I’ve seen my share of it too, especially the usual layered concentric grains

But what struck me about this particular piece is the symmetry and intensity of the central grain. The circle is nearly perfect and centered dead-on like a stamped medallion. That level of alignment and detail seems unusual to me.

Anyway, just thought it was cool enough to share — maybe not one-of-a-kind globally, but definitely a standout in my own collection.





Thanks again for taking the time!

 

[ypows]

My goodness that is just stunning
Congratulations on that score ...

Thank you.

 

[ypows]

as many said looks like a normal Crosscut.

Pretty neato

But what struck me about this particular piece is the symmetry and intensity of the central grain. The circle is nearly perfect and centered dead-on like a stamped medallion

 

[ypows]

Looks like normal crosscut mammoth ivory. It's just the core of the tusk. Nice piece, though.

Dry. Very dry. If that’s what you saw, I have nothing more to add. However, look closely to symmetry and intensity of the central grain. The circle is nearly perfect and centered dead-on like a stamped medallion. If you show me anything close, please do so.

 

[MissesMeow]

Short 10 minute video here on the hunting/harvesting:

Amazing. I never would have guessed that it was so easy to find (relatively speaking, of course).

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

If I squint my eyes a little bit when I look at it, it looks like a burnt battle damaged black & white nuke symbol relic from the Atomic Age....very on brand!

 

[ypows]

If I squint my eyes a little bit when I look at it, it looks like a burnt battle damaged black & white nuke symbol relic from the Atomic Age....very on brand!

View attachment 2974617

LOL that sounds about right. However, very funny. Imao

 

[Nuker]

I was finally able to see them!.... whew... what a beauty! That's a special one
Posting pics so they don't die on imgur