Tool about the size of scissors

[RoyalSearcher]

Our party was panning for gold in Josephine County, Oregon. One member came across this tool. At first glance it looked like scissors. But the outside of the handgrip is continuous - it is not two handles. The "blade" looks like a screw driver or tool for making grooves in wood. There also appears to be a spot to put your thumb in the second picture. Any tool types out there recognize this? Thanks. Don

 

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[paleo10kbc]

Just a guess,but maybe an early wire tool.Like a stripper or twisting tool?
Any old telegraph or phone lines in the area?
Paleo

 

[dg39]

I was going to say candle snuffer, but then again maybe not. Might help if you can clean it up a bit.
DG

 

[kierdan]

old hand mixer. Round part goes in the bowl. upper part attaches to the hand crank LOL just a guess

 

[bradyboy]

I sort of agree with the mixer idea
the give away would be the tip / end
the nub on the end would keep the mixer off the the bottom of the bowl

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I cant see anything. Need to clean it up.

 

[Angelo]

Fish Hook Remover?

Tony

 

[silverswede]

Maybe old Jews Harp?

 

[GL]

Big ol' tater peeler?

 

[silverswede]

Was a little rushed this A.M. with my JewsHarp suggestions so here's a picture of what I think I saw under the rust. Of course as usual Maybe not .

 

[GL]

Big Jews Harp.
Shapes right, size is right...the twanger in the middle is usually gone though isn't it?

 

[wildrider]

What's the terminal end look like? The top pic doesn't show it.

 

[RoyalSearcher]

Here is a picture of the pointy end. The rocks and material are very well cemented in. Well enough cemented that my experience is it would be destructive to the tool if we chipped at it. But the tool is still at the gold claim with the friend who found it. I just snapped a couple of angles of it before heading back to town with my meager vial of yellow. I appreciate the suggestions. Don

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

If its iron or steel, electrolysis would work great to seperate the cemented crud and preserve the steel. The crud will just fall off.