Hello Robert,
Whether tourist or not I can't say, but I can say the hide covering the ball and shaft is brain -tanned, and looks by the thickness, (particularly on the shaft) to be moose hide.
The covering on the stone appears older than that on the shaft, and if it had been carried /handled a lot, the hide soon goes a bit shiny and greasy looking.
Can you see what lies under the wrap on the handle?
Also, Is the stone attached with rawhide to the handle.....under the brain-tanned covering?
If it Is attached in that manner, it may be an older piece that has been tidied up later on in life.
If the stone is only attached by the covering material, I think it would soon eat its way out if used much. Stitching would soon let go etc.
It's a nice looking item!
Merry Christmas!!!
Richard.
On looking at it again, it May be covered in rawhide, but has a "soft fuzzy' look to it. Is the covering spongy to the touch?..........or hard?
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