A softening zone with recrystallized grain around the prepared crack tip in the shock waves treated C-Mn steel weld metal was observed. It is suggested that a dynamic recovery occurred around the prepared crack tip even at a low explosion pressure (5 GPa) because of the stress and strain concentration at the crack tip when shock waves pass through. This result supports the previous work on the improved mechanical properties of a shock treated welded joint with residual crack from the viewpoint of microstructure. A softening zone with recrystallized grain around the prepared crack tip in the shock waves treated C-Mn steel weld metal was observed. It is suggested that a dynamic recovery occurred around the prepared crack tip even at a low explosion pressure (5 GPa) because of the stress and strain concentration at the crack tip when shock waves pass through. This result supports the previous work on the improved mechanical properties of a shock treated welded joint with residual crack from the viewpoint of microstructure.