Hoping for a bit of a favor;

I'm doing a little trophy room work for a customer. He has 50 and 46 pound tusks from Zimbabwe coming this year at some point.

I need to have a basic idea what the nerve end of these will measure in diameter for some bases so I can hold some matching wood for production. Length around the outside curve would help too for some panel/design layout.

Any chance someone could measure some for me?

Thanks!

Variable! Which area of Zimbabwe did it come from?

Thanks for the reply,

I know he was looking for bulls moving in and out of Hwange Park(sp); but I'd would have to call to make sure.

I don't want to sketch out a base with too much mass that dwarfs the size of the ivory.I knew there was a difference from say Tanzania, but glad I asked re. Zimbabwe, didn't know that changed much with in the country, interesting.

If the past is any indicator I will end up making 2 or 3 and he'll pick what he likes.

Variable, indeed.

There is absolutely no way of knowing, unless and until you have them in hand.

On the other hand, if you find a magic formula, please do publish it, for the sake of us who must dwell and remain among the unwashed masses.

What Mike said, but from experience, a mature Hwange bull of approx 50 pounds/ side on average should have around a 17" circumference at the base. This is variable if a younger bull is shot, or if for some reason the bull did not follow the norm of short thicker ivory ( common around the Hwange area ).
Again a few questions may arise from my calculations, but thats the average.

I have some tusks in bases, and they are in that weight range.

I will take photos later and post them for you.

I measured a few tusks, and they varied from 15.8 inches to 18.9.

All of these are around 50 pounds weight.

I have taken some photos, and will post them later.

Thanks for the help

Just what I was looking for, gives me enough to start on. Sure looks like that 17" is right on for an estimate, given some actual numbers also.

Doesn't look like any magic involved at all. And since I just needed an estimate; that will be fine for now.

Nice bases; Thanks for taking the time for the pics, very helpful for planning.