Opened the box he bought and discovered a dangerous 80-year-old find

A man from Texas purchased a box at an estate sale in Austin and found six live hand grenades from World War II inside. He called the police, and a bomb disposal unit removed and neutralized the grenades. The police emphasized that no crime was committed but urged the public to report similar findings.

A Texas resident who bought a box at a local estate sale in Austin was surprised to find six live, active hand grenades from World War II. The man opened the boxes at his home and immediately called the Austin Police, who received an unusual call. The police bomb squad arrived, established a sterile zone to ensure neighbor safety, and confirmed that the grenades were Mk 2 fragmentation grenades, nicknamed "pineapple" for their shape, and were live and active even after 80 years. An X-ray confirmed the concern. The bomb team safely neutralized the grenades and removed the danger. Police praised the team's professionalism and composure, noting that handling 80-year-old explosives with unknown stability is dangerous and precise work. Police emphasized that although no crime was committed, similar findings should be reported immediately. The article notes that Texas law considers possession of hand grenades a serious criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, but the man was not charged. It also mentions a similar case from 2025 in Maine, where grenades and mortar shells were found in a second-hand store but turned out to be inactive.