Texas man finds live World War II grenades in box he bought at estate sale, prompting bomb squad response

A Texas man found live World War II-era grenades inside a box he bought at an estate sale, prompting police to send in the bomb squad.

The Austin Police Department said it got the “unusual call” Monday after the man was rummaging through boxes he had bought and noticed one contained the 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.

The bomb squad confirmed the grenades were “live and active.”

A photo shared by police shows at least three loose US Mk 2 fragmentation grenades in the box, known as “pineapples” because of their shape and grooved cast-iron bodies.

The Mk 2 was the US military’s standard-issue fragmentation grenade from World War II through the Korean War and into the Vietnam War.

The box also appeared to hold shipping tubes and containers, including one marked for an M21 practice grenade.

The bomb squad safely removed the devices, police said.

An Austin Police Department spokesperson told Chron that six grenades were recovered in all, each appearing to date to World War II and in good condition for its 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.

The department said the bomb squad “subsequently conducted render-safe procedures to eliminate any potential hazards,” and that there is no ongoing investigation.

“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.”

Police noted that “no crime” was committed but urged the public to call them if they ever find themselves in a similar situation.

“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.

While the man who bought the box was not charged with any crime, it’s still illegal to own hand grenades and other explosive devices classified as prohibited weapons in Texas.

Unlawfully possessing an explosive weapon such as a grenade is a third-degree felony that carries 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, under Texas Penal Code Section 46.05.

This isn’t the first time an unlucky buyer has stumbled upon live grenades while secondhand shopping.

In 2025, employees at a Maine Goodwill store discovered military-grade grenades and mortars hidden in a donation box.

The store was evacuated while the Maine State Police Bomb Squad assessed the devices, which were found to be inactive.