Posted by Peter Ceresole on August 18, 2003 at 18:54:35 from 80.177.22.49 user PeterC.
In Reply to: Re: Conservation of Environment : Exploding tent pegs posted by John Nichols on August 18, 2003 at 18:28:37:
No the munitions expert that I had from the west showed me the crystals on old shells and said hit that and it will give you a shock. - Like blow a finger off. White crystals.
That is likely to be picric acid crystals. Usually handled wet, but when they dry out they become a very sensitive explosive- very dangerous. Google 'picric acid'.
It was certainly used in detonators- although I don't think it is any longer. Not sure...