That’s an explosive discovery.
A Texas man triggered a police response after finding live World War II-era grenades in a box purchased at an estate sale.
The Austin Police Department said it received the “unusual call” Monday when the man was sorting through the boxes and discovered that one contained handheld explosives.
“Our patrol officers, who quickly secured the scene, set up a perimeter, and kept neighbors safe while they waited for EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal],” the department wrote on Instagram.
Bomb squad technicians determined that the grenades were “live and active.”
A police photo showed at least three loose U.S. Mk 2 fragmentation grenades inside the box. The weapons are commonly called “pineapples” because of their distinctive shape and grooved cast-iron bodies.
The Mk 2 served as the U.S. military’s standard-issue fragmentation grenade from World War II through the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.
The container also appeared to include shipping tubes and other packaging, including one labeled for an M21 practice grenade.
Police said the bomb squad safely removed all of the devices.
An Austin Police Department spokesperson told Chron that officers recovered six grenades in total. All appeared to date from World War II and were in good condition considering their age.
“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 told the outlet.
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The department said its bomb squad then carried out “render-safe procedures to eliminate any potential hazards.” There is no ongoing investigation, police said.
“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.”
Although police said “no crime” had been committed, they urged anyone who finds similar items to contact authorities immediately.
“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 buyer was not charged, but Texas law prohibits the possession of hand grenades and other explosive devices classified as prohibited weapons.
Under Texas Penal Code Section 46.05, unlawfully possessing an explosive weapon such as a grenade is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The Austin discovery is not the first time a secondhand shopper has unexpectedly encountered live grenades.
In 2025, employees at a Goodwill store in Maine found military-grade grenades and mortars concealed in a donation box.
The store was evacuated while the Maine State Police Bomb Squad assessed the devices, which were found to be inactive.
