HOPE this is right forum, Elk necklace with tooth,can you help me identify maker

I bought this at a flea market about 20 yrs ago, Think it is Native American, Head is silver, dont know what white beads are, and am pretty sure it is a tooth, but again not sure if it is real. there are markings on back,some are letters, but I need younger eyes to see, again thank you for your help.

 

I took the liberty of editing one of your photos to show the mark a bit better, hope it helps:

 

It's an elk ivory, or bugle tooth, whistler...there are several names for them. Every elk has two, and they are remnants of what was a tusk in the prehistoric elk ancestors. The material is a type of ivory, like walrus tusks, it's not the same as the other teeth.

They've been collected and saved for years, by Native Americans and non-Native Americans alike. Probably every family that had hunters in the past had a couple or more tucked away in a drawer somewhere. Sometimes they were made into watch fobs, or pendants. Since they are ivory, there are legal restrictions on selling them in most states today.

The use of the elk head makes this more likely to be "Western" rather than "Native American" jewelry, so identifying the maker may not be possible. It has the look of the type of thing sold at a fair or rendezvous in the 1970s/1980s.

 

thank you both so much, any ideas on white beads

 

They look like standard white heishi (shell) beads.

 

Many an elk's bugle tooth has been turned in to jewelry for Elk's club members over the years. I have my grandfather's watch fob mounted in 14K gold with an elk's head not too dissimilar to this. This one does have what appears to be NA additions and a necklace so maybe for a NA Elk's Club member?

 

Maybe, but the "whites only" requirement for membership wasn't officially repealed by the national organization until 1979.

 

I am speechless.

 

Not exactly the same as your necklace, but similar inspiration and use of elk bugle teeth, silver and turquoise:
http://rockymountainscrimshaw.com/elk-ivory/necklaces-pendants/

 

thank you all so much your fount of knowledge is just amazing,