BLASTING CAP. Is it dead, or still active?

[coinman123]

I looked down at a rocky area while metal detecting and I saw what looked distinctly like a blasting cap. I picked it up, and decided to take it home to do research on it. I'm wondering if it is still active, or if it is used/dead. If it is active, what should I do with it. I found it while walking towards some old woods to metal detecting in. It was next to a water tower that looks to be from the 1980's, I assume it was lost/discard while building it.



Thanks, Coinman123

 

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[Peyton Manning]

ummm you saw a blasting cap, picked it up and took it home without knowing if it's live?

 

[treblehunter]

Yeah Jeff, call the bomb squad.

Coinman, you found fireworks, take a 2 liter soda bottle, fill it halfway with gas, hang that puppy in the neck, use some bubblegum to hold it in place above the gas. Lite and run!

JK, lite the fuse and run

 

[UnderMiner]

Looks used to me, either way I'd toss it back outside.

 

[Peyton Manning]

wow jersey has metallic firecrackers?

 

[DMN]

This is one of those times you call the authorities and give it to them to dispose of properly. Not sure if bringing it to your home to check its viability was really the best choice. You do want to continue to detect in one piece, right?
Good luck.

 

[DMN]

This classic PSA says it all:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=skfZQ9fRpf4

 

[lockster99]

Yeah....not sure I would walk into the local police station and toss it on the counter though. Might not take it well. Call first or throw it out.

 

[DocBeav]

Yes coinman123, it is a REAL blasting cap. It appears to have already been initiated but it only went "low order" when it detonated . It may still have explosive (possibly RDX) inside but it's stable and will not go off (unless you start smacking it with a hammer or toss it in a fire!). Because it may still have explosive material, I'd just wrap it in a paper towel and take it to your local police department and let them dispose of it. If they can't they should know who to get it to. Again, it's pretty safe as it is now but best never to mess with that stuff unless you really know what you are doing. First rule on the demo range was "Don't pick anything up"!

Looks like it's still attached to a piece of "shock cord" which is what was used to initiate it.

 

[gollum]

...........................HEEEERE'S YOUR SIGN!

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

If you like being alive then never pick up a blasting cap !!!

 

[WheatbackDigger]

It's spent. I was a blaster for 12 years and seen tens of thousands of these. Its a non electric blasting cap that has been detonated. Keep it as a souvenir or discard it. No need to call the bomb squad. BUT, like other have said, next time if you are not sure, leave it be.