Target Balls Gallery

Target balls replaced live bird shooting when thousands and thousands of birds, particularly pigeons, which is why clay disks are still called “clay pigeons,” were flung from traps and shot and killed for sport. From around 1875 to 1885, because of a decline in the availability of live birds and changing social attitudes, glass balls often were the target of choice, particularly in an exhibition, circus, and Wild West show. These balls, similar in size and appearance to today’s glass Christmas tree ornaments, were the only substitute ever invented for the living bird.

Let’s go into the gallery. Click on a bottle below!