What kind of antler?

[zimmerstutzen]

Years back in northern virginia, I purchased a great many types of antler at yard sales and flea markets.  Over the years I made belt buckles, buttons, powder measures, priming flasks, knife scales, and even some jewelry from the antler.  Of the spatulated antler, I had one in particular that had very thick antler with minimal pith.  When I buffed it and polished it, it looked like fine amber tortoise shell.  It was also not as brittle as most other antler.  I had several different kinds of antler but never came across another piece like that.  I still have some elk, moose, white tail, mule deer, Caribou amd fallow deer antler.  None of it comes close to that stuff I had.  Unfortunely I lost most of the antler I once had when my shop burned down.  (Must have been close to 75 pounds at one time.)   The Caribou and Fallow deer antler has a thin outer covering with a thick pith on the flat parts.  I can even think of another deer that has spatuated antler.  Any body know of another besides Fallow, Moose and caribou?

BTW, I use a diamond grit hole saw to cut out  round buttons.  The I slice the round through the center to make two discs.  I use a sander to clean off the pith and it leaves two nice buttons that gleem like ivory when polished.   The rounds can be scrimshawed and used for pendants or jewelry or drilled with holes for thread to use as buttons.     

[beowulf]

maybe red deer ?

[Patocazador]

Irish elk.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvnYsUXf2QI/UQmVtqe8dlI/AAAAAAAAAX8/dgHPFeZ_lEo/s1600/Wonderful+Extinct+Animals+5.jpg

[zimmerstutzen]

Saw the Irish Elk skeleton at the Smithsony   Hate to think I made trinkets out of a rare item like that.  But I do remember my Great Grandpa telling me how good passenger pigeon tasted.

[beowulf]

I remember my grand parents talking about passenger pigeons . the hills outside of hanover pa are called the pigeon hills . I was told that at one time there were so many of them in the area that when a large flock took off it would darken the sky !

[zimmerstutzen]

You in "Hangover" ?   I am at the other end of the county near what locals call "Kunrats"?  Not sure why they call it that, the map says New Bridgeville.    I am a few miles from the Tomahawks black powder club.   

25 years ago, I would travel from VA up to the muzzle loader matches at McSherrystown.  Nice couple Dick and Linda Myers were in charge as I recall.       

[beowulf]

made to two of the mcsherrystown shoots ! but the semi local shoot to attend is the lancaster longrifles shoot at holtwood ! at muddy run state park ! used to hit it every year ! http://www.lancastercountylongrifles.com/

[zimmerstutzen]

Been to the muddy run group.   Even used my tractor & Bush Hog to mow the sutler row twice.

[beowulf]

good group , I liked the old camp site they had up in cocalico , nicer set up ! but the muddy rune site is a tad more primitive !