Decades Old Black Powder Recovered from Ohio Home

Hamilton, Ohio The Butler County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Bomb Unit responded to a Hamilton home after one of its residents discovered old explosives while cleaning out the possessions of a deceased family member.

According to the sheriff's office, the items of concern included two boxes of black powder pellets, containing a total of 20 pellets with a combined net explosive weight of approximately 1.37 pounds. Labeling on the packaging indicated that the pellets were manufactured in June 1963.

In a social media post the BCSO said, "These black powder pellets were not designed for small arms ammunition. Instead, they served as an intermediate ignition charge used in large artillery systems. Their purpose was to help ignite the main smokeless powder propellant charge used in massive naval guns and other large-caliber artillery pieces, including those found aboard battleships."

Despite the age of the explosives, the powder still posed a hazardous threat and was therefore safely recovered and disposed of by the bomb technicians.

"If you discover old military ordnance, explosives, blasting materials or other suspicious items while cleaning out a home, garage, or estate, do not handle them," the sheriff's office said in the statement. "Contact local law enforcement and allow trained personnel to assess the situation."