The explosions caused limited damage to the metal that could be observed with the naked eye when the charge (spherical charges of 54.5 or 109 g TNT equivalent mass) was placed at less than 10 cm from the target. At distances over 10 cm, observable deformations of the metal declined significantly. Surface optical metallography (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) detected microstructural modifications of AISI 304Cu steel disks by small-charge explosions. Surface OM and SEM revealed partial surface melting zones with recrystallization effects and intense mechanical stress at the surface. For the purpose of determining the existence of explosions as well as the location and size of any explosive charge, the maximum charge-to-target distance was 21.5 cm for the charges used. Beyond this distance, no change in the surface of the metal could be detected. Tables show the maximum charge-to-target distance at which change in the metal disappeared for each charge or metal grain size. Descriptions of study methods address specimen preparation and experimental setups. 11 figures, 6 tables, and 25 references