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Is this an explosive round?

A

aquachigger

Member
Hello... I was visiting a friend today and he had this shell in his garden. It was originally dredged up by an oyster fisherman somewhere along the Virginia coast. Any idea what it is, and do you think it may be dangerous? It appears to be based fuzed. Thanks for any help you can provide.... Beau
 

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always assume items like this are extremely dangerous, leave it alone and call the appropriate authorities to get it disposed off. dont risk your life with this lump of rusty iron.!!!!!
 
no worries Paul it happens ,at the end of the day it doesnt matter if 1,2 or 20 people post the same thing when it comes to what could be potentially life threatening items, as long as the outcome is good and nobody gets hurt or killed thats all that matters
 
You know what is really scary, is seeing a possible live dud and a hammer in the same photo! It looks like a 4 inch 50 cal navy common projectile, either black powder or black powder/TNT filled. Yes, call EOD.

A mysterious thing, is why the rotating band is missing. If it was in the ocean you would expect it to be corroded and the band to be intact.
 
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Aquachigger, only one thing to say,

CALL UP THE POLICE !


Hazord,

we find back the same thing in Belgium, dangerous old shells without driving band. Commonly, copper driving bands ! You know as good as me that copper is expensive and can pay big dividends.
Strange we can't see the chisel near the hammer !


Yoda
 
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I agree with HAZ. I've found that rounds that have been immersed in water can have the water invade the cavity causing the black powder to turn to a sludge. If left out to dry, the sludge will go back out where the water invaded. Once dry, the exposed black powder, even if only a thin film in a crevasse, is sensitive to any friction or spark, which can detonate the round. As has been stated, please encourage your friend to inform the authorities so they can dispose of it. You are looking at around 3-4 pounds of black powder/TNT mix that can send fragments up to 1000'+ if accidentally set off. Plus the fuze is a base igniting type and you don't know what the condition is. Cheers, Bruce.
 
dont think I need to add, get proffesional help asap that been said enough. Corrosion under the band will commence when the shell comes out of the water and as its products take up more room than the origonal metal it stretches the band until it breaks, then it can be pulled off.
 
As with all the other posts - if there is any doubt at all about the status of an item then contact the relevant authorities without delay.
 
Thanks guys. I figured as much. I'll give him a call right now and pass along this info. The hammer was just something that was in his shed that helped with scale. Have a good holiday!
 
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