WWII Japanese head-scratcher battlefield relic

[jsandin]

My father found this, on Peleliu (I think) just after the battle in 1944. He was a surveyor with the Seabees in the U.S. Navy.

It is a pouch made of waterproofed fabric, now very brittle, containing what sounds like a powder when the pouch is shaken. My dad told me he thought it could be some kind of Japanese suicide powder. My gut tells me it's not that dramatic...perhaps some anti-malaria concoction or even a dried-up condom.

Help, you guys.

 

[jsandin]

Nowadays you cannot carry this on a plane. What would have happened if it went out with the trash? I notice the ones in the link have been emptied of their contents...

I'd say that this item is less dangerous than a box of kitchen matches.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Nowadays you cannot carry this on a plane. What would have happened if it went out with the trash? I notice the ones in the link have been emptied of their contents...

I'd say that this item is less dangerous than a box of kitchen matches.

I dont know why you would say that? Its probably about as dangerous as gunpowder. Here is mention of flaked nitrocellulose being used in bullets instead of cordite. http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...laked+nitrocellulose&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

This is a mortar propellant. It should be treated with the same respect as a bag of gunpowder. Im only guessing but the reason it has been sealed so well is that water will probably ruin it. But just a guess. I think you should speak with someone familiar with nitrocellulose.

 

[Kildred]

The contents of the increment is "flammable" and not "explosive". It is designed to produce a gas when burned that will propel the bomb down range. You don't want an explosion in the tube, you want it on your target. If lit it will burn very hot and very quickly so damage would be limited and depend on the area it ignites in. It won't blow your hand off but it will singe you a bit. Of course, it is 65 years old so it might act differently than designed.

Usually after a shoot you burn all increments that were removed from the bombs before firing them. You can search youtube with the term "burning mortar increments" and similar phrases to see the effects of burning a pile of increments. One thing I will say, stand back when you have a large pile to destroy.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Gunpowder will not explode either unless in a confined space. I wouldnt want to ignite a bag full of it in my hand however.

 

[jsandin]

Gunpowder will not explode either unless in a confined space. I wouldnt want to ignite a bag full of it in my hand however.

Me neither! I guess my point is that it's probably a smokeless propellant, and will burn very hot and fast but won't explode.

There's maybe as much powder in this thing as there is in a very large hunting rifle cartridge. But without containment, it would probably just go sssshhhh and burn a big hole in my hand. I am not going to try that....it has too much sentimental value.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Gunpowder will not explode either unless in a confined space. I wouldnt want to ignite a bag full of it in my hand however.

Me neither! I guess my point is that it's probably a smokeless propellant, and will burn very hot and fast but won't explode.

There's maybe as much powder in this thing as there is in a very large hunting rifle cartridge. But without containment, it would probably just go sssshhhh and burn a big hole in my hand. I am not going to try that....it has too much sentimental value.

It probably wont explode, but thinking about it, gunpowder will explode if contained in paper cardboard. Think of firecrackers. I remember a kid growing up with 2 fingers.

Here is the quote from my link if you missed it: http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache...laked+nitrocellulose&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
"I'm not familiar with the properties of cut flake nitrocellulose, though I do know from personal experience from last firing this revolver in 1974 that the ammo is very smoky and spits out quite a power burn at close range. Anyone familiar with this type of powder?"

(the link it describing bullet cartridges made with flaked nitrocellulose in 1942)

 

[lostcauses]

An explosive packet. I doubt it is what that link says. I do suspect it it dangerous. Crazy stuff.

A bag with powder and look at what it turns out to be. Some of this stuff gets more unstable as it gets older.
Tried to get a hold of a friend to ask what it was, but he seems to be busy. Will have to ask when I see him next time.


Great ID Kildred

 

[NGE]

i saw on youtube where ping-pong balls are made of nitro-cellulose they will violently flash and totally consume themselves if microwaved. the site calls itself " Can you microwave this?" check it out.......NGE

 

[mickk]

Aww cmon, hit it with the blow torch for youtubes sake.

 

[jsandin]

This will have to do.

 

[BOUGAINVILLE]

This is a propellant increment for a 81mm mortar round. The required distance the mortar was to travel was determined by the amount of increments attached between the fins. This one is dated the fourth month of 17 Showa which is 1942.

It makes me laugh reading all of the speculation as to what it was.

I'm interested in buying it if you want to sell, as I need to complete my increment set.

Cheers,
BOUGAINVILLE

 

[1320]

I followed this thread back in the day...lol. He ain't lying! Nice ID Bougainville and welcome to tnet. Hoping the OP will put the big green check mark on this one.