When in Vanuatu (formerly New Hebrides) I bought a WWII 50 caliber machine gun bullet, unfired. It looks like it had been sitting in the dirt for a while. I thought it would be a nice collectable, that and a WWII Coke bottle.

Well, after sitting in a locker for a couple of years I brought it home yesterday and want to put it on display with many other goodies collected in my cruising days.

I am wondering how safe it is. The cap probably contains fulminated mercury. How stable/potent is that after 65+ years? What about the gunpowder? I would like to de-commission it without marking it. Can I clamp the bullet between two pieces of soft wood and pull the casing off? What should I do about the cap?

Any advice appreciated.