Help identifying

[Woogie]

Good morning and thank you for allowing me into this group.

I found this metal detector on a garage floor and have been given a chance to display it in a small museum for a month. Looking to do a very small write up for it with possible description and production years.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[The Bushwhacker Detectorist]

Idk much about old metal detectors but that is awesome. Does it have any production markings on it?

 

[Woogie]

The only plate on it says Sirchie Fingerprint Laboratories Morristown, NJ.
I have reached out to them but no response as of yet.

 

[markinmichigan]

ChatGPT (or any AI search engine) is your friend, I posted the photo and got this response.

That’s a really cool piece — and it’s not a typical metal detector at all.

What you’ve got there is a Sirchie forensic probe-style metal locator, sometimes referred to as a:
What It Is
This type of tool was used by crime scene investigators to:

• Probe soil for buried weapons (knives, guns)
• Locate metal evidence underground
• Find objects in shallow graves or soft ground

How It Works
The long rod/probe is pushed into the ground

• The unit detects metal at the tip or along the shaft
• Much more precise than a regular coil detector for pinpointing

Think of it like a combination of a metal detector + probe rod.

What I Notice From Your Photo

• Heavy-duty control box → typical Sirchie build
• Straight probe shaft → designed for ground insertion
• Compact base unit → likely battery powered
• No search coil → confirms it's not a hobby detector

Age

Based on design:
Likely 1970s–1980s era

That matches when Sirchie was producing specialized forensic tools like this.

Value (Collector Market)

These aren’t super common, but also not high-demand:

• $75 – $200 typical
• More if:
  
  • It powers on
  • Has original labels/manual
  • Good cosmetic condition
  Collectors are usually:

• Police memorabilia collectors
• Forensic history enthusiasts