Hoplophoneus sp., Lower Jaw Fragment with Preserved Teeth (P3, P4, M1) This remarkable fossil represents one of North America's most fearsome Eocene / Olgliocene apex predators - Hoplophoneus, one of the enigmatic "false saber-toothed cats", or Nimvaridae, that stalked the ancient plains millions of years before true cats like Smilodon even existed. Specimen Details: - A beautifully preserved lower jaw fragment of Hoplophoneus, one of the iconic “false sabertooth cats” of the Oligocene plains. - Late Eocene–Early Oligocene (~34–30 million years old) - White River Formation, South Dakota, USA - High anatomical clarity - Clean natural preservation - No restoration beyond minor stabilization - From an old, legally collected private U.S. collection - Dimensions: ~8 cm wide, ~2.5 cm high This specimen features three well-defined teeth: - P3 (premolar) – slender and sharply contoured, for slicing - P4 (premolar) – enlarged slicing tooth, for slicing - M1 (carnassial molar) – a powerful shearing blade used to tear flesh, the main shearing tooth This important carnivorous fossil shows the classic nimravid cutting dentition that predates true cats like Smilodon by millions of years. The fossil retains the fine crack patterns and coloration typical of authentic White River Formation material. Mounted on a wooden display base, it makes an excellent centerpiece for any fossil, natural history, or sabertooth evolution collection.