A man found a British WWI grenade while magnet-fishing in a South American river.
Tiago Wanderley pulled it from the Capibaribe River in Recife, Brazil.
It was wrapped in layers of aluminium foil inside a plastic bag.
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The 42-year-old graphic designer called the police as soon as he realised it was an explosive device.
It was collected by the BOPE police tactical units’ bomb squad, who analysed it using X-rays.
After searching international catalogues of explosive devices, they concluded it was a Mills bomb.
The grenade was developed and manufactured at William Mills’ factory in Birmingham.
It was the most common hand grenade used by British troops during WW1.
Soldiers were taught to throw it like they were bowling a cricket ball.
When it exploded, it fragmented into many cast iron pieces – causing maximum damage – thanks to its perforated edges.
The Mills bomb is widely regarded as the 20th century’s most successful hand grenade.
The BOPE said the one found in Recife was in “poor condition”, as reported on Need To Know.
They said they would dispose of it, as they were unable to guarantee its safe storage.
It’s not clear how the British grenade ended up in Brazil.
Recife lies more than 4,600 miles from Birmingham as the crow flies.
It’s not the first Mills bomb that’s been found in South America’s largest country.
One turned up in Uberaba in 2010 and another surfaced in Sarandi last year.
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