Abstract: An open-spindle earth sampling apparatus for taking and retrieving core samples of coil comprising a drilling apparatus having rotary power means, a hollow auger section, a hollow-centered drive shaft connected to the drilling apparatus, a gimbal ring auger coupling and a sampling device suspended into the hollow auger section by means of a reelable hoist cable. The hoist cable is attached between the drilling apparatus and the sampling device and the gimbal ring auger coupling bearingly connects the hollow auger section to the drive shaft. The sampling device includes a rotatable locking portion and a pivotally-stationary, thin-walled sampling tube which is bearingly connected to the rotatable locking portion. The rotatable locking portion is rigidly secured to the hollow auger by a pair of expandable latches such that the thin-walled sampling tube projects from the end of the hollow auger.