That was the opinion I was leaning toward (a friend of mine here in NC thought the same). That was good news to me at first, as the common definition of 'elk' are of the species found either here in North America or in Asia. But then I started worrying about the so-called and closely related "red deer" common in Europe. With some research here, I found out that although similar, the antler of red deer are as rough and furrowed as tree bark whereas American elks are smooth. This factor seemed to clear some up some of the mystery until I read that elk live west of the Rockies and up into British Columbia, not exactly an area populated by the early colonists at the time. More research awaits...
(edit)- I just read that elk lived throughout the Great Lakes region, though Kentucky down to Louisiana and westward to the Pasific coast during colonial times. It was only into the 19th century that their numbers were decimated and they now reside west of the Rockies. Sad testament to time, but I think this cinches it that the hilt is elk antler from here-
