A few mining tools

[lumbercamp]

I was going to dig a lumber camp but when I got there, there was still 6" of snow. Instead I went to a mining town and came home with 3 pick heads. a peavy point, a mattock head and a ax head. Not much, but first time out since Nov.

 

[John (Ma)]

Nothing wrong with those, those are pretty cool finds.

 

[wildcatman71]

very cool! those would make a neat display!

 

[kdismuke1]

nice finds.

 

[hikeinmts]

Great artifacts!! My friend and I went into the Cornucopia mining area, near Baker City, Oregon many, many years ago.
Found a few things.....but, in front of a miners old, log cabin we found a set of drilling bits......6 total....6 different sizes, the heads still wrapped in cloth with wire holding the cloth on.
It gets exciting around old mining areas.

 

[BuckleBoy]

You never cease to amaze me with your Fantastic iron finds.


Great pieces you found--and unbroken ones at that.





-Buckles

 

[RPG]

This is exactly why I like digging big iron.

 

[lumbercamp]

Thanks Buckleboy. It's amazing the amount of tools left in the woods over a hundred years ago. I guess there was no inventory check back then. In the case of the mining pick heads, I have found others that had the persons initials inscribed on them. Seems to me, if they lost them, they couldn't work. I won't know if these have initials until I clean them this summer.

 

[nc-joe]

Nice finds.. What kind of mining camp was it?

 

[seger98]

I would take those finds any day. Neat stuff.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Thanks Buckleboy. It's amazing the amount of tools left in the woods over a hundred years ago. I guess there was no inventory check back then. In the case of the mining pick heads, I have found others that had the persons initials inscribed on them. Seems to me, if they lost them, they couldn't work. I won't know if these have initials until I clean them this summer.

Were the initials stamped in, cast in, or scratched with a knife? That's very Cool! I'd love to see a photo of some "personalized" ones sometime if you get a chance.

Once again, Great finds


-Buckles

 

[lumbercamp]

nc-joe, the mining town dug coal and supplied it to a local coke ovens operation. The town was established in 1864. Buckles, here are a few photos. They are D.D. X and A.Y. I have a 4 others with initials, but they don't show as well.

 

[extractor]

Good score Wtg

 

[RON (PA)]

Awesome finds. Thanks for sharing.

 

[kuger]

Cool picks,I was going to tell you those are early ones but sounds like you already know that.They look very similar to the ones I find in 1850's sites.I never used to pack them out but I started a couple of years ago and now have a yard of them(dug 27 in one camp)I clean them up to find makers marks,but have never found one that has inscriptions like yours.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Those are really cool--obviously pounded in with a cold chisel or an awl or leather punch and a hammer. I really like the personalized ones. Unless someone hunted a work camp, it seems to me that personalized tools are a rarity to find.


Best Wishes,


Buckles

 

[Nana40]

Goodness, I don't know how you managed to haul all those heavy things out. :P I know they'll have a nice place in that fantastic collection of yours.

Nana