Friend gave me an old metal detector

[Tater_nutz]

A friend of mine recently gave me a metal detector he found while cleaning out his basement. THe machine belonged to somebody else so he didn't know anything about it. Its a "Gold Mountain Model 1859 Virginia City Commemorative". I put in a battery and it made a steady high pitch sound. I found this weird as my other detectors only sound off when they come near metal. I noticed the pitch of the sound changes when the coil comes near metal. Is this how this metal detector operates or is it broken? I dont know much about these machines. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[PAPPY]

As best my memory serves me...Gold Mountain was a Fisher product. You may want to google around and see what you come up with. I look also and see what I can find...PAPPY

[rip]

Tater The old tr and bfo units had a steady tone. Is there a threshhold control ? If so hold the coil about an inch off the ground and adjust till you can just hear a tone.Hope this helps HH

[mcbrat]

sounds like the one my son has. his you adjust at about a foot off the ground so no metal, then as you detect, if a deeper tone it's ferrous, higher tone ton-ferrous.

[TonyinCT]

Gold Mountian was actually a company from Texas that was around from the 70's into the early 90's I beleive. They made many cheaper models of TR detectors and then some VLF's. The Cobra was a name used by them .

[Tater_nutz]

Thanks guys! There is a knob on the machine marked "metal" the threshold changes as the knob is turned. This machine seems pretty crappy, I just might junk it.

Instead of junking it, how about donating it to the cub scouts or some kid that would appreciate it.

[rip]

Originally Posted by boobieinPa

Instead of junking it, how about donating it to the cub scouts or some kid that would appreciate it.

Sounds like a great idea ! But them old machines in the right hands could find ya some treasures,just gotta learn how to use er is all.

[Tater_nutz]

That is a great idea, I'll do that.

[mws]

don't knock it yet, learn the old machine.....then move on...I found a gold ring with a late 1980's detector........what a wow!