140: A RARE IRON OWL SHOOTING GALLERY TARGET ATTR A.J. SMITH

The iron owl silhouette target with folky incised line detail and central bullseye framed in concentric rings on custom iron stand, this is the only known example of this very rare target. Pictured on page 75 of Sellers' book (Figure 5.25), it was attributed to Evans or Hoffmann at the time of publishing but is now believed to be by A.J. Smith of Chicago, IL. A similar example is illustrated in a Smith trade catalog of the period with part number 65 and on its Gallery G. During the first quarter of the 20th century, there were no less than three foundries in Chicago producing very similar, if not identical, figural owl shooting gallery targets. The owl was a popular target with many manufacturers and the firms of H.C Evans & Company, Emil R. Hoffmann and F.C. Mueller & Company were no different. This owl shooting gallery target could have been made by any one of these three Chicago Shooting Gallery Manufacturers.
Displayed on custom iron stand. This is the only example the Tuckers have seen or heard of in their 30 years of collecting.
Measures 12 x 8.5 inches, excluding stand.
Very good original condition, there are no issues of damage or repair, good even patina.
$1,000 - $1,500