British 6Pd tank shell, inert or a problem?

[Randy J]

This was a vet bring back from WWI from a vet who was in one of the few US heavy tank units. I know next to nothing about such ordinance. But since I am a Yank living where people actually like to hire lawyers (solicitors) I need to check my math on this puppy to ascertain whether this little projectile is harmless or not. It does weigh real close to 6 pounds and came with the empty artillery shell.

[RobDekk]

Well, there's only one way to find out... ;-)

https://youtu.be/lJKcdlj-Uiw

[Randy J]

Well, there's only one way to find out... ;-)

https://youtu.be/lJKcdlj-Uiw

Yes, that was my thought, given how easily the projectile comes out of the shell that it has been dropped many times without incident and is probably as inert as the shell.

[Bond]

As an Anti Tank shell it would be a solid shot so not contain any explosive and the propellant to fire it would have been in the shell case which assume is empty and therefore apart from bludgeoning someone to death with it dropping it on your foot, it is safe.

[byterock]

Well not 100% correct. Some of the AT shells has a blasting charge.

A quick email off to this site he might be able to help.

Looks like it has been fired so it might be a practice round so it may have been filled with sand.

[peter monahan]

There are several names for people who operate on shells and are not themselves EOD techs. One is 'Lucky' and another is 'Statistic', AKA 'News Story'. And I'm sorry, but, 'its been dropped a lot and hasn't exploded so far' is just stupid!

If, and I don't know this, it has a charge, then you're dealing with a 70 year old explosive which was never meant to stay stable that long, and a device meant to kill tanks! Ask an expert! All that said, it doesn't 'look' like a live shell but I've worked with explosives and can write about it, among other things, because I always followed the rules. The No. 1 rule with unknown ordnance is 'Assume danger.' until you know otherwise. Being wrong about that is good. 'Assume harmless.' and being wrong might just get you into the next edition of the Darwin Awards.

Rant over.

[Dom]

It's a base fused unfired round. Are there any markings on the brass fuse? It could well be live.
Dom