How to find old 1940s elephant import papers for tusks and a shoulder mount

[JohnSweeney]

I have a serial number carved into a set of tusks in USA. Family heirloom and wondered who or what agency if anyone would have import or any documentation on the tusks / animal with the number. 1940s so long ago. Maybe the serial number was done in Africa or was it for US customs?

 

[RR 314]

Man, I bet you a dime you won’t be able to find anything. I would be surprised if there were significant import requirements in the 1940s. Even if so, I doubt any records were retained. I remember reading about a small town in Connecticut decades ago and the immense amount of Ivory that came in up there. A lot of piano keys, combs and cue balls were made in Connecticut. Good luck. Let us know what you find out.

 

[DLSJR]

You won’t find any documentation from that long ago. Back then, importing tusks was a simple process and I highly doubt there was any paperwork. Hell, I don’t recall having to do anything special to import ivory back in the mid 1980’s.

 

[Wheels]

Decent chance the first number is the year it was shot, 1947, followed by the star to separate the numbers and the second number is probably the number it was registered in the country or region. I can't make out the second number but if it is 581 it would probably have been the 581st tusk checked in and recorded in 1947. My guess it wasn't Tanzania. Tanzania's identification usually started with the Region the elephant was shot in. ie:
Mbeya Region MB47-581
Iringa Region IR47-581

The ivory would have been registered at that time by the Colonial Government and the paperwork probably left for the succeeding government which probably wouldn't be able to find the paperwork if they wanted to.

Do you know what country the ivory came from? Do you know the ancestor who shot the elephant or brought the ivory back? Did they bring back other trophies, if so you might try showing photos and members could help out by knowing what countries rare animals came from.

Neat family heirloom. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Denvir Tire]

Man, I bet you a dime you won’t be able to find anything. I would be surprised if there were significant import requirements in the 1940s. Even if so, I doubt any records were retained. I remember reading about a small town in Connecticut decades ago and the immense amount of Ivory that came in up there. A lot of piano keys, combs and cue balls were made in Connecticut. Good luck. Let us know what you find out.

Ivoryton CT

 

[RR 314]

Ivoryton CT

That explains why I could not remember the name of the town. Who would lever associate that to an “ivory“ town? :.)