A core barrel head assembly having an exterior surface and comprising: a first interior cavity; sealed interior cavity spaced distally from the first interior cavity and having a closed proximal end; a threaded proximal end portion for coupling to a wire line retrieval portion of a head assembly; a base portion, wherein the first interior cavity extends distally from the threaded proximal end portion to the base portion; a window that extends from the exterior surface into optical communication with the sealed interior cavity proximate the closed proximal end of the sealed interior cavity; at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data mounted therein the sealed interior cavity, wherein the at least one electronic instrument comprises at least one digital and/or electro-mechanical sensor (40, 42) in a core orientation data recording tool that can be configured to determine a core orientation of a sample core just prior to or after a core break; a power source in operable communication with the at least one electronic instrument, wherein the power source is mounted therein the interior cavity; and a transmitter configured to transmit core orientation data, wherein the sealed interior cavity is sized and shaped to hermetically enclose the at least one electronic instrument and the power source; an open and threaded distal end portion, wherein the sealed interior cavity extends distally to the open and threaded distal end portion of the core barrel head assembly characterised by: a port positioned proximate the base portion and extending from the exterior surface into fluid communication with the first interior cavity; a check valve assembly configured to affect a hermetical seal of the sealed interior cavity and to provide fluid control for wire line operation. a first interior cavity; sealed interior cavity spaced distally from the first interior cavity and having a closed proximal end; a threaded proximal end portion for coupling to a wire line retrieval portion of a head assembly; a base portion, wherein the first interior cavity extends distally from the threaded proximal end portion to the base portion; a window that extends from the exterior surface into optical communication with the sealed interior cavity proximate the closed proximal end of the sealed interior cavity; at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data mounted therein the sealed interior cavity, wherein the at least one electronic instrument comprises at least one digital and/or electro-mechanical sensor (40, 42) in a core orientation data recording tool that can be configured to determine a core orientation of a sample core just prior to or after a core break; a power source in operable communication with the at least one electronic instrument, wherein the power source is mounted therein the interior cavity; and a transmitter configured to transmit core orientation data, wherein the sealed interior cavity is sized and shaped to hermetically enclose the at least one electronic instrument and the power source; an open and threaded distal end portion, wherein the sealed interior cavity extends distally to the open and threaded distal end portion of the core barrel head assembly a port positioned proximate the base portion and extending from the exterior surface into fluid communication with the first interior cavity; a check valve assembly configured to affect a hermetical seal of the sealed interior cavity and to provide fluid control for wire line operation.