CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., July 26 (UPI) -- A Dalton, Tenn., man is in serious condition after a Civil War shell he was trying to defuse in his home exploded, hospital officials said.
Lawrence Christopher, 64, a nationally known collector of Civil War relics, was trying to defuse a deadly 20-pound Parrott shell used in the war, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
He was hospitalized in Chattanooga, Tenn., with wounds to his chest, head and eyes, the newspaper said. His grandson, Josh Lock, also was injured but was treated and released.
The two were trying to remove gunpowder from the shell when it exploded, police said.
Military crews plan to remove all Christopher's remaining shells and explosives and detonate them, WDEF-TV in Chattanooga said.
Christopher had extensive experience drilling into shells to remove gunpowder. He helped pioneer the method of taking gunpowder out of live shells, the TV station said.
