Modern Military Ordinance Finds?

[Metaldetective1975]

Some years ago, while detecting, my Dad found an old intact artillery shell which appeared to still be "live" at a remote area of an old beach resort. It appeared to have either misfired, or been a dud.
It was stamped "1914", and was about the size of an anti-aircraft shell (but I do not believe that there was any airplane warfare then - likely not until 1917 for the US, when we entered WWI).

Anyway, I thought my Dad had disposed of it properly (I assumed that since he was a WWII vet, he would know what to do with it). Many years later after he passed away, I found the shell in his stuff.
Since I had small children, I did not want them to find it someday and potentially be in harm's way.
I contacted the local police department and they agreed to take possession of it (I presume for disposal and not for collectible memorabilia).

Has anyone else here had any similar experiences with finding potentially live ammo? It has always been in the back of my mind that I might someday dig up a potentially dangerous target, and hit it with my digging tool, then BLAM! - I am no more....

 

[mudpuppy]

Its good policy to err on the side of caution when it comes to military ordnance...even civil war ordnance has killed folks like us!.....theres news reports documenting this tragedy that somebody else will no doubt post pertaining articles for your viewing pleasure and the groups collective future knowledge....

Yeah, a guy has to pay attention, its a dangerous world...still, a'sploding yerself and dying afield due to the scenario you mentioned has micro-miniscule odds, almost less than 'lottery winning odds' but not quite... in fact......odds are, most likely you will be hit by lightening, killed by a tornado, or bitten by a coral snake before anything like that happens, and thats if you live in Alaska...or eaten by a polar bear or killed in a barroom knife fight by an eskimo...if your a Georgia resident...still, good on ya for paying attention..wonder what else dangerous your old man had stashed around the house?
Mud

 

[2 Much Trash]

I had an experience just about a month ago while relic hunting. Got a good signal and starting digging. Got down pretty deep and began uncovering a big piece of iron. The dirt was hard so I started chopping away with the shovel and out came a Hotchkiss shell. After the initial excitement of finding it I'll admit I got a little nervous. Thought to myself man I hope this thing ain't still loaded.. So out of instinct I babied it while walking to the truck and laid it on the ground and the went back to hunting. It was pretty crusty and at that time I couldn't tell if the fuse was still there or not . If it was it most likely still had powder in it, and powder don't rot. After getting it home I soaked it in dawn and warm water and used a Popsicle stick to get the crud off. I was a little relieved to find the fuse missing and the inside of the shell empty.. A fellow here in my area just a few years ago who was well known for disarming old civil war shells finally did one the wrong way. I talked to a cop friend of mine who arrived on the scene just minutes after it happened. Said it wasn't a pretty site. Even though these shells have been in the ground for a 150 years, if they're still locked an loaded. BE CAREFUL. :they ain't dead

 

[GeorgeinSC]

Old civil war ordnance can be especially dangerous. It uses Black Powder as its charge. Even after being in the ground all those years black powder will dry out and become even more sensitive than when it was manufactured. They are still finding Live Civil War ordnance from time to time in my area of the world.

I would be much more afraid of ordnance from the Civil War and before due to the use of Black Powder. Later munitions used a different powder that deteriorates when it gets wet.