[ridgeguy]

I think a 50 year old "lost" bomb would be a radiological hazard at most. Nuclear weapons require upkeep.

After 50 years, only 6% of tritium remains from the initial 100%. Any weapon using tritium (boosted fission bombs and hydrogen bombs) would likely fail to work.

Chemical explosives that initiate nuclear detonation also degrade. Successful weapon function requires an extremely precise initial chemical explosion, not likely to be possible with a 50 year old bomb.

edit - Ninjaed by MichaelCollins