Posted 11 years ago
hotairfan
(388 items)
This is a glass target ball. It was used as an early forerunner of the modern clay bird trap shooting target. They were filled with feathers to indicate when the target ball was struck by a trap shooter's shotgun pellets. The slight ribbing on the outer surface of the glass ball was to assure a hit from the shotgun pellets didn't graze off the surface of the ball. There is even a throwing device similar to a claybird thrower that the ball fits into a ringed launcher and is catapulted into the air. I have seen photos of them, but, I never seen one in person..... hotairfan
To think they were made so beautifully, only to be destroyed!
Many years ago I puchased one at a auction. I too had only seen them in books. The auctioneer who knew everthing, sold it as a Christmas Ornament! I think I paid around $10 for it. I ended up selling it on the spot to a gun collector that was sitting next to me for $225. That was a good day.
congrats. to rocker-sd on your purchase and sale..... hotairfan