My 11yo dug up a "panning shovel" out of a local creek.

[tmilanese]

Anyone familiar with old shovels? It came from a creek within Georgia's gold rush area.

 

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[mirage83]

Not familiar with shovel history, but it's definitely not a design I've seen anytime recently. Still, here's a pic that MariposaGold posted back in February that somewhat resembles your find. That find was on the West Coast, and the Dahlonega gold-rush pre-dates the California event.

 

[AU Seeker]

Is there still some wood in the socket of the shovel, can you post a photo of the back to see how it was formed?

I ask the question above because it just doesn't look old enough to be from the 1800s during the gold diggings in Ga., I hope it is but check out this topic which has a shovel that does look to be a gold rush era shovel.

Edit: I just notice that Mirage83 mentions this shovel below being posted in February, I sure the shovel your son found was used to dig for gold, it maybe as old as the Depression era when prospectors and a lot of other people when out to find a little gold to live from day to day.

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/today-s-finds/401295-gold-rush-era-shovel-more.html

And here's a shovel that is on eBay that was linked in the above topic.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/REAL-Cal...51-Coloma-CA-Old-Shovel-Relic-A-/161024193335

 

[tmilanese]

Here are three additional pictures. It doesn't share that same reinforced assembly where the handle meets the blade. Just one additional rivet in the head/blade of the shovel. Mine seems to be a simpler design. Has metal running along top of handle and along the bottom with wood exposed from side view.

 

[AU Seeker]

It's for sure an old shovel at least early 1900 up to the 20 or 30, and possibly late 1800s, I don't see the same type of common construction for it being early to mid 1800s, but it a keeper for sure, clean it up put little bee's wax to preserve it and make a wall hanging out of it!!