Unusual dagger, billfish or bone “blade”?

[wildwolberine]

I’m curious to know where this dagger might be from. Doesn’t appear to be particularly old. I’m not sure if the “blade” is a billfish bill or perhaps mammalian leg bone? The hilt is the tip of a cow’s horn. The sleeve or ferrule is thin brass. It’s just held in by friction and is loose as you can see. Any input is appreciated - I know this may just be a curio or knickknack!

Overall length ~45cm
Blade length ~34cm

[Ian]

ww, I suspect from the cross-section shown that this is an unusually long baculum or penile bone. The groove would have been where the urethra ran the length of the penis. The longest examples are reported to occur in walruses (up to 64 cm). The length and straightness of this one may explain why it has been preserved in this form.

[werecow]

Originally Posted by Ian

ww, I suspect from the cross-section shown that this is an unusually long baculum or penile bone. The groove would have been where the urethra ran the length of the penis. The longest examples are reported to occur in walruses (up to 64 cm). The length and straightness of this one may explain why it has been preserved in this form.

Just so you guys know, I am exercising enormous restraint not making any of the dozens of puns that this thread provokes.

[wildwolberine]

Originally Posted by Ian

ww, I suspect from the cross-section shown that this is an unusually long baculum or penile bone. The groove would have been where the urethra ran the length of the penis. The longest examples are reported to occur in walruses (up to 64 cm). The length and straightness of this one may explain why it has been preserved in this form.

Hmm, interesting!

[Tim Simmons]

The handle has a sea look about it but Icannot find with google a large enough animal with that size of penis bone. Could be traded?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by werecow

Just so you guys know, I am exercising enormous restraint not making any of the dozens of puns that this thread provokes.

[thomas hauschild]

Not a penis bone. ( I have one in my display)

This one is a „sword“ / Rostrum from a sword-fish (Xiphias gladius ) I used a piece for knifemaking with this kind of 2 nerve-holes

[Rick]

Originally Posted by werecow

Just so you guys know, I am exercising enormous restraint not making any of the dozens of puns that this thread provokes.

Mighty large for a baculum, Ian.
I used to get Swordfish bills from the Sword boats when I was working in Menemsha on a yacht summers many years ago. Although the material looks sort of like part of a swordfish bill; I don't think it is.

I too am biting my tongue.