Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

[silverswede]

Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

An old friend from early 60s who was also my partner in our first try at metal detecting. He dropped off a box of some relics we had discovered back then. Here's two sorta tools from early days You might have fun guessing their purpose. They are hand manufactured and one of a kind. No markings and were found in the attic of a fallen-in log cabin in a North Idaho mining site that dates to early 1900's. They have been identified by an old timer who lived in the area, but have a go at it and i'll let you know and reveal what they are after a few days. I will be donating them to a local mining museum later this summer.
#1 the wooden handled thing made a simple job in camp simpler.
#2 Is actually made for use in a primitive gold mining "office"

 

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[Chug And Red]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

# 1 back scratcher!!!!
#2 spring compresser!!!

 

[Lucas]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

#1 reminds me of a timber scribe.

#2 with the ink bottle still in is kinda obvious.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

#1 reminds me of a timber scribe.

#2 with the ink bottle still in is kinda obvious.

obvious for what?

 

[Lucas]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

obvious for what?

Ink stand for commercial ink bottles... with a handy flip top.

 

[silverswede]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

Here's a clue. Suppose the ink bottle in # 2 was filled with sulphuric acid?
another clue. # 1 was an early kitchen utensil?

 

[mojjax]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

#1 looks like it would make a good ice pick .

 

[stefen]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

Gee...a quiz

 

[AKiwi]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

#1 looks like a can puncturing tool (the top of the can)

#2 No idea

 

[silverswede]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

Good call on #1 AKiwi, Thats exactly what it is. In the old camps where refrigeration or even ice was unavailable milk was primarily of the canned type, like Carnation and this tool was placed on the top and whacked with the palm of the hand. If you've dug out a few dumps you know how many of those rusty old cans with the two holes are there.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

Here's a clue. Suppose the ink bottle in # 2 was filled with sulphuric acid?
another clue.

Its not fair because the last pic is blurry. I guess its to test gold or burn off impurities.

Good ID Akiwi.

 

[silverswede]

Re: Handmade "tools" from early mining camp

You got #2 pegged right, Big Cy, It's an improvised acid dropper and had been used by Assayor and later in a pawn shop. Guess it left one hand free to hold the item being checked. Thank you all for looking in.