Anyone any idea what material this is made from? Its a completely different colour and type of material to the other mounts on the set and I’m wondering if it’s original or not. Its a 1930’s Crowley set.
From the photo it looks like very old ivory, but Crowley’s work is not that old (unless his source was already very old). What does it feel like? Could it be a lighter wood that’s been varnished?
djm
I’m fairly certain its not old ivory - it feels too plasticy for that
A few weeks or possibly a month or two back there was a discussion thread about identification of Elephant Ivory, Mammoth Ivory, Walrus Ivory, horn, etc. I believe someone had found a copy of a customs document and posted it to the forum. I’ll try a search for it, but I’m hopeless at finding what I want in the archives.
Tried a search - no luck. But there was discussion about identifying different types of ivory/horn/bone, etc and a document was posted.
It’s made from a plastic based on cow’s milk protein, and had a name based on the name of the protein, casein, which I can’t remember now. I just worked on a Dan O’Dowd flat set that had the same type of mounts, and I owned a Crowley E flat half set once that also had it.
Um … Sorry sorry.
Its interesting, though, that even during Crowley’s time (1930s-40s?) pipemakers were looking for more stable, more long lasting materials. In other words, they weren’t married to some purist notion of all-natural materials - they were looking for what was most practical and available at the time.
djm
Now you’ve just made me feel bad! 
It might be celluloid. http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=19287
Similar colour on this Crowley set photographed by Paul Eliasberg and posted up on his website:
http://www.uilleann.nl/pipes/pictureGallery/1133drumshanbo/middle/middle_DSCN2427.jpg
A friend of mine has a Johnny Bourke set with this material being used for the mounts. Looks identicle to your photo Becky.
Patrick.
Becky
It is a Formaldehyde resin sold under the trade name “Catalin”. The discoloration is normal for this material.
The milk/protein based imitation ivory is Casein
Other imitation ivories include
“Zylonite” - celluloid with a very realistic colour and grain
“Rhodoid” - Similar to Zylonite but with a straight grain
“Vigopas” - Polyester resin with slight random pattern
Most popular at the moment is the imitation ivory by GPS agencies Chichester and recently taken over by a US company.
I remember a few years ago seeing an early Brian Howard full set and if I’m not mistaken the bass resonator was very similar in colour to your Crowley set Becky.
In addition to that, it may have been Brian’s own personal set.
BTW, is your interest purely an historical one or are you experiencing a problem with it? I only ask because Brian explained to me once that some of the old ivory substitutes used over the last thirty years or so are showing signs of disintegration and they become brittle. Seemingly this is one of the reasons why some makers have turned to boxwood mounts/resonators.
I have the old type ivory substitute (not the same as yours though) that has now turned to a horrible bad teeth yellow colour. On my pipes it’s maybe time for some dental replacement in the form of teeth (resonator) renewal. Probably a resin material such as amber 
Yeh, I really like that. Anyone know if an amber substitute exists?
Joseph ( the amber loving UK one) 
Imitation amber…polyester
or use amber from these old beads…
thats the same stuff I buy from GPS in England
Excellent looking stuff.
I must have it. I must,I must. I must… 
Joseph (the amber loving obsessed UK one) 
GPS of England’s website is www.ivoryalternative.com , talk to Ann she’s great