Can anyone help explain this?

[coinman123]

A couple weeks age when I metal detecting I saw a shovel handle sticking out of the leaves. I decided to grabbed it and saw that the shovel was in quite good shape, the wood was still strong, there was minimum rust too. I decided to keep it because it was still function-able and looked old. I was just made of metal and wood. I decided to research it, I found a patent on the handle and researched the name of the shovel. The handle was patented in the 1930's and it looks like this type of shovel was made in the 1940's and is described as WWII era.

How is it in such good shape? I'm used to very old iron tools though so I am not used to iron tools this new. Was it just well preserved or dropped more recent, like maybe in the past 10 years. I was found in the woods next to a big water tower, could it have been dropped making that?

What do you think? (No photos of the whole shovel)

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Upgraded Night Vision Monocular Digital Infrared Monocular Telescope for 100% Darkness with 8X Zoom - Grab it through Amazon!

[releventchair]

I would guess it was a more recent drop. Though it does speak of greater quality of material and construction in the past...
A limited view of handle from your pic but wood looks well dried though sun weathered, rather than many seasons of moisture from exposure outside of cover.
Leaf covered wood after a couple seasons shows ,depending on leaves anything from oak tannic acid stains to leaf patterns from moisture trapped under them. Punky wood follows after a while.
It may have bounced off a truck inspecting or servicing the tower. A utility or local community service could have old tools in use still.
A shovel for leaning on perhaps. Ouch!

 

[Keppy]

You could not get a picture of the whole shovel ??

 

[coinman123]

You could not get a picture of the whole shovel ??

It's in my shed and i am too lazy to open it. I found one photo of the metal label on my phone that I used to ID it but I guess I never wanted to take a photo of the whole shovel.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

I love finding old usable tools!

 

[coinman123]

I love finding old usable tools!

Same here Anytime I can put a find to use I'm happy. With exactly a weeks difference I found a usable saw and this shovel.

 

[pepperj]

Give me something that's old, heavy, and strong over this flimsy crap they push out the doors today. Good save it'll serve you well for many years to come.

 

[Peyton Manning]

well get off your lazy butt and get a pic of the whole thing!

 

[T.C.]

The only thing a shovel is good for, is leanin' on and diggin' fishin' worms. Why pack somethin' home yer gonna have to work with??

 

[Keppy]

well get off your lazy butt and get a pic of the whole thing!

jeff...I am with you there were is the pic??

 

[coinman123]

Here Jeff, I hate to keep you waiting.

 

[coinman123]

 

[coinman123]

I keep on getting this...

 

[Keppy]

View attachment 1166289

nice looking round mouth shovel

 

[Peyton Manning]

my guess is that while it may be a decades old shovel, it has not been in the elements that long. Recently lost.

 

[gleaner1]

Razorbacks are awesome alloy and temper, the best to make diggers from. There's still a million of those tough bastages out there.

 

[villagenut]

We need to see the other side of the shovel...

 

[coinman123]

We need to see the other side of the shovel...

That's what I was trying to upload, the file is not working...

 

[coinman123]

Also, am I correct on the age? Does 1940's sound about right?