Hilt material

[adamb]

Hi all; does anyone have any insight into the hilt material? It's obviously horn (tanduk) of some kind, which means it would normally be buffalo/cow, but I'm a bit puzzled by the greenish-brown colour.

I've shown photos to a western collector who says it is buffalo horn, and to a major Indonesian collector in South Sulawesi who says rhino horn.

The material is semi-translucent, as the pic with the torch light shows.

Any insight appreciated. Thanks.

[Sajen]

Water buffalo horn, not rhino!

Regards,
Detlef

[David]

I agree that it is buffalo horn. I don't see any evidence of the tubular structure that is common to rhino horn.
Still a lovely hilt though.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by David

Still a lovely hilt though.

Sadly is the nose broken!

[adamb]

Thanks all for clearing this up. Does anyone have a similar shot of buffalo horn in section?

And yes, sadly some breakage on this otherwise nice hilt

[Rick]

A view like this?
This is very old horn, probably over a century plus.
Looks like wood grain. Lots of grime and dirt = patina.