20mm MK3 Oerlikon with tetryl?

[colt45lush]

Hi all this is my first thread and maybe the last for a while as my interests are all over the place. I do need some information though concerning a 20mm mk3 projectile seen at a flea market this past weekend. A outside vendor had a few nice projectiles and casings mainly a 20mm Oerlikon I needed for my MK2 casing. Now I have came across tracer compound still intact but never anything inside the HE area. The projectile's fuse cap was empty but the main body had a substance that I can best describe as looking like compressed particle board found on cheap furniture. After little searching I see tetryl was used and it looks yellow and is compressed to form pellets? So #1. I am mad for leaving it as it was $3 and wanted it. #2. Now that I have more info I am kind of glad I left it but would like to know if this could have been HE. I would think the good ole USA would have decommissioned there own stuff. By the way it was painted "army" green if that helps.

 

[colt45lush]

Any info is much appreciated as I would like to collect in this area of militaria but I am a little leery of bringing home something dangerous. Canvas items, canteens and clothing won't go boom! :tinysmile_tongue_t: I have enjoyed searching this site and there is a lot of nice things to see and learn!

 

[Chris 42 RQ]

Better safe than sorry

Bottom line with all ammo items is that if there is any doubt about any potentially flammable/explosive filling do the sensible thing and steer well clear of it-you did the right thing by walking away from it.
Other items will turn up which can be seen to be safe-be patient as it will be worth it in the long run.

Sadly whichever country you live in there is always a risk of "live" items escaping due to all sorts of innocent reasons, and some if not most end up being detected due to injury or death-but by then it is too late