Civil War-Era Ordnance Discovered in Texas Home

In South Texas, a man discovered that a supposed decorative piece in his home was actually a live Civil War-era explosive. Officials in Atascosa County reported this unexpected find on Tuesday.

The incident began when the resident contacted deputies, stating that a military friend had cast doubt on the ordnance’s status. Despite believing it to be a dummy for years, the suspicion of activity warranted immediate attention. “The caller informed deputies he had owned the ordnance for years, under the impression it was merely a replica,” shared the sheriff’s office via social media.

Out of caution, an explosive disposal team from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio was dispatched, located approximately an hour to the north of Atascosa County. Upon evaluation, they confirmed the object as a live “parrot round.” This type was commonly utilized in the Civil War, specifically by the Union, and is known for its distinct iron reinforcing band. The National Park Service notes that various sizes of Parrott rifles were used, ranging from 10 to 300 pounds, but the size of this particular round remains unspecified.

The live ordinance was subsequently transported to Camp Bullis, where it was safely neutralized. Fortunately, there were no injuries nor pending charges related to the find.