Item: Document Destroyer (M814 and M605)
Description: The M814 and M605 Document Destroyers are emergency incendiary drums used for rapid destruction of materials to include paper, film, photo, or cryptographic devices. Each drums weighs 275 lbs. with a height of 35” and diameter of 23”. The steel drum has a lid and gasket with a lever lock ring that seals the inner contents. All drums have been presumably sealed and the inner contents have remained static for 50+ years. The drums are light grey in color with outer markings for identification. Each kit is self-contained using a 55-gal steel drum (outer) with a centrally positioned inner fiberboard drum.
Between the inner and outer drum, (approx. 2 inch) the kit contains approx. 190 lbs. of sodium nitrate in prill form that is readily accessible and sometimes loosely packed. The sodium nitrate acts as the primary oxidizer to support combustion and consume materials placed inside the drum. The sodium nitrate could be coated with calcium phosphate or pure prill form. Sodium nitrate is classified as an oxidizer but has other potential uses in commercial and agricultural industries.
ANMC cannot verify the current physical state of the sodium nitrate to account for any decomposition or its stability. Funding of all chemical analysis and testing of the decomposition or stability of the sodium nitrate will be at the bidder’s expense. In 2019, ANMC conducted static test burns of the contents. The results indicated that all the consumables (wood, paper) were fully destroyed during the burn process, however the sodium nitrate was not fully consumed, leaving a thick residue that required disposal through our local Environmental Office (HAZWASTE). ANMC does not have the resources to reclaim or recycle the sodium nitrate and steel drums and is seeking buyers who would purchase these items for reuse/recycling.
Before sale, each drum will be partially disassembled by ANMC personnel to remove the igniter and fuse. All disassembly operations will take place at ANMC prior to shipping or delivery to a potential customer. ANMC will dispose of the fuses and igniters. Each drum will then be re-assembled, containing only 190 lbs. of sodium nitrate and the fiberboard inner drum. No energetic materials will remain in the drum, only the sodium nitrate (oxidizer) and fiberboard.
Current inventory of Document Destroyers:
M814 Document Destroyer, Quantity: 2,133 Each
M605 Document Destroyer, Quantity: 735 Each
Total: 2,868 Each
Approximate amount of Sodium Nitrate:
M814: 405,270 lbs.
M605: 139,650 lbs.
Approximate Total: 544,920 lbs.
Date range to schedule visit: 07/2024 – 12/2024
Date range visits to be conducted: All interested parties should coordinate site visit a
minimum of two weeks in advance due to security protocols and applicable background
checks. Anniston Munitions Center will accept visitors Monday -Thursday, 0800-1500
CDST for viewing and collection. The site maintenance activity will coordinate material
movement, staging, opening, closing and remediation.
POC: For additional information concerning the Document Destroyer, please contact Mr. Jason Bass, ANMC at 256-240-3540 or Mr. Taylor Clopton at 256-235-4309. A full detailed structure can be provided upon request.
