Old Copper alloy scoop shovel - recognize???

[Davefr]

I found this old scoop shovel at a g-sale. The scoop is some alloy of copper. I don't think it's brass and copper would be too soft. Maybe bronze??? The handle is solid one piece wood.

Can anyone ID it?

My theory is that is was either used in a marine environment subject to salt corrosion or maybe an environment where a spark could ignite a fire.

 

[ttpete]

Might be for shoveling grain. Elevator dust explosion hazard.

 

[MR.X]

Could be Ampco Bronze, they made tools like that. Their "Bronze" isn't the classical Copper and Tin though...mostly Copper & like 12% Aluminum with a little bit of iron. Berylco made shovels like that too but I think their Beryllium(approx2%) and copper alloy usually looks a little darker than that. Lots of variations in the different Ampco alloys, I'm definitely not an expert.

 

[The Cobbler]

some of those non sparking alloys can be very dangerous if ground & breathed in

google Beryllium Copper

 

[rlitman]

Could be Ampco Bronze, they made tools like that. Their "Bronze" isn't the classical Copper and Tin though...mostly Copper & like 12% Aluminum with a little bit of iron. Berylco made shovels like that too but I think their Beryllium(approx2%) and copper alloy usually looks a little darker than that. Lots of variations in the different Ampco alloys, I'm definitely not an expert.

Check it with a magnet. BeCu is completely non-magnetic. Aluminum bronze is very slightly attracted to strong magnets.

 

[MR.X]

So I found this catalog entry that shows a shovel that looks pretty close to what you got. This is from a 1950 catalog that mentions both their "AMPCO metal" and Beryllium copper offerings before they cut way back on the BeCu stuff. Anyway, IF this was the manufacturer of your Shovel, I'd GUESS that yours is made of "Ampco metal".

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Never seen one like it before. But I have to admit that is the coolest banjo I have ever seen.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

Dang that's neat.

 

[Davefr]

Thanks guys!! It looks identical to the Ampco catalog image. I'm guessing it's aluminum bronze since it's ever so slightly attracted to a magnetic.

 

[driftpin]

Yes, an interesting piece, thanks for posting it.

Murray is not a manufacturer of high-end bicycles, but they once made some racing bicycles of beryllium for their pro team. A very-light, strong metal w/a high boiling point (2744 K). #4 on the Periodic Table. Yes, bad stuff to inhale the dust.