Texas homeowner discovers live Civil War-era Parrot round in his house
A man in Atascosa County called deputies after a military friend warned that a Civil War-era ordnance he owned was active, and officials confirmed it was a live Parrot round.
Authorities in South Texas responded to a tip from a homeowner who thought a Civil War-era cannon shell in his possession was inert. The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office said the caller’s military-connected friend suspected the ordnance could still be active. Deputies called in an explosive disposal unit from Lackland Air Force Base, located about an hour north, to assess the situation.
The specialists identified the item as a live Parrot round, a type of muzzle-loading cannon shell used during the Civil War. After confirming the danger, the round was transported to an explosive range at Camp Bullis, where it was safely detonated. No one was harmed and no legal action has been taken against the owner.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks of untreated historic munitions and the need for expert handling.
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