Modern aged woolly mammoths are thought to have gone extinct more than 10,000 years ago in what is now modern Alaska and the Yukon. In certain parts of Siberia and Asia, it’s likely that mammoths lived on until 6,000 years ago, and scientist estimate that 10 million mammoths remain frozen. Since the days they walked the earth, woolly mammoths have been hunted, but in the 21st century, mammoth ivory is growing as a popular substitute for elephant ivory. Mammoth ivory differs in appearance from elephant ivory in that it is browner and the Schreger lines, or crosshatchings, are coarser, giving it a distinctive aged appearance.
Mammoth tusks have been reemerging more frequently from the deep permafrost in Alaska and Siberia as well as from eroding creek beds and changing river bends. Intrigue with fossilized ivory combined with its availability at about $75 per pound make it a lucrative medium for artisans.
In some cases, guns serve as functional forms of art, and you don’t have to look beyond Republic Forge to find the artists. Republic Forge is a small builder of custom Model 1911s in Perryton, Texas, where three gunsmiths allow you to build your own interpretation of a 1911.
Each Republic Forge 1911 is a one-of-a-kind investment where every detail is optional. If you build one using the company’s drop-down menu at its website, you’ll find model names for longslides, full-size and Commander variants as well as caliber options including .38 Super, 9mm, .40, 10mm and .45. Carry cuts, sights, hammer, double stack, single stack, mag-well type, safety, serrations, finish and custom grips are among the decisions you’ll get to make. Custom isn’t cheap, but the results are absolutely incredible.
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(Featured image courtesy of pinterest.com)
