Authorities in South Texas report that a long-believed dummy Civil War ordnance in a local resident’s home was actually a live explosive. On Tuesday, the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that the individual had contacted law enforcement after a military acquaintance remarked on the artifact’s potential activity.
The homeowner had possessed the ordnance for an extended period, assuming it to be inert, according to information shared by the sheriff’s office.
Due to safety concerns, sheriff’s deputies enlisted the aid of an explosive disposal team from Lackland Air Force Base situated in San Antonio. This base lies approximately an hour north of Atascosa County. Upon inspection, the team verified the device’s live status.
The artifact was identified as a live “Parrott round.” It was safely transported to an explosive range at Camp Bullis, where specialists executed its disposal without incident.
The Parrott rifle, designed by West Point graduate Robert Parrott, was a robust muzzle-loading cannon predominately utilized by the Union forces during the Civil War. The cannon featured a notable thick iron band encircling the breech for reinforcement, as outlined by the National Park Service. The weapon was produced in varying weights, from 10 to 300 pounds; however, the exact size of the live projectile found remains unspecified.
No injuries occurred, and no legal actions are anticipated, officials confirmed.
This incident highlights the importance of ensuring historical artifacts such as ammunition are thoroughly examined to prevent any potential hazards.