An Austin man who bought boxes at an estate sale uncovered six live World War II grenades inside, prompting a full bomb squad response to his home.
The discovery came Monday when the buyer was sorting through his purchases and spotted the handheld explosives, according to the Austin Police Department. Officers rushed to the scene, secured the area, established a perimeter, and kept neighbors at a safe distance while waiting for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to arrive.
“Our patrol officers, who quickly secured the scene, set up a perimeter, and kept neighbors safe while they waited for EOD,” the department wrote on Instagram.
The devices were identified as US Mk 2 fragmentation grenades, the standard-issue American military grenade from World War II through the Korean War and into Vietnam. Their grooved cast-iron bodies earned them the nickname “pineapples.” A police photo showed at least three of the grenades loose in the box alongside shipping tubes and containers, including one marked for an M21 practice grenade.
An Austin Police Department spokesperson told Chron that all six grenades appeared to date to World War II and were in good condition for their age. The bomb squad confirmed they were “live and active” after assessment.
“Bomb Squad personnel assessed the devices, including X-ray examination. Based on their interpretation of the X-ray images, the grenades appeared to be live and were treated accordingly,” the spokesperson said.
The squad then carried out render-safe procedures to eliminate any potential hazards. Police stated there is no ongoing investigation into the incident.
“A big shoutout to our APD Bomb Squad. These officers bring a level of training, expertise, and steady nerves that most people never see,” the department wrote on Instagram. “Handling 80-year-old explosives with unknown stability is dangerous, precise work, and they do it with the professionalism this city counts on.”
Though the buyer faces no charges, Texas law still classifies hand grenades as prohibited weapons. Unlawful possession of an explosive weapon such as a grenade is a third-degree felony under Texas Penal Code Section 46.05, carrying 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Police emphasized that “no crime” was committed in this case but issued a public warning about encountering old military materials. “If you ever come across old military ordnance (grenades, shells, mortar rounds, etc.), even if you think it’s inert, don’t touch it, don’t move it, and call 911. Let the experts handle it,” the department said.
The Austin incident follows a similar discovery earlier this year at a Maine Goodwill store, where employees found military-grade grenades and mortars in a donation box. That store was evacuated while the Maine State Police Bomb Squad assessed the devices, which were ultimately found to be inactive.