Thread: Cleaning rust around a covered tang.

It's most likely faux ivory celluloid... one hint is the tarnish around the steel in close contact with it caused by slow gassing over the decades (most likely nothing to worry about).

Rub an inconspicuous spot like the back of the tang (if there is no stamping) or the tail with a bit of dry cotton cloth and then give it a sniff... (careful the tail is not steel, not strong and may brake easily). If you smell camphor (moth balls) then it is celluloid.