12: A RARE C.W. PARKER IRON WHIPPET SHOOTING GALLERY TARGET

The scarce, large, iron whippet target is signed C.W. Parker Abilene, Kansas back side with cast embossed letters. In the early 1900s, these targets zipped along a rail in pursuit of a similarly-sized rabbit in full stride through the C.W. Parker mechanical shooting galleries.

The surface on this piece is a fine example of early 20th century cast iron. It is covered in a thin, single layer of black, similar to the 'Japanned' finishes of the day. There are no areas of the crude, slapped on park paint - or any other repaint - as is typically seen on working targets. The area around the bullseye displays as a well-worn halo of pewter gray against the old black surface with its peening and pockmarks from the effects of the shooting gallery.

See page 12 of Parker's Catalogue of Shooting Galleries, Gallery No. 20 for reference.

C.W. Parker moved his operation to Leavenworth, Kansas from Abilene in 1911.
Target measures 9 x 27 inches.
Very good condition, noting the effects of heavy use around the bullseye opening. The thin, apparently original black finish overall has only light oxidation in very limited areas, mostly dry old surface overall that appears original.
$6,000 - $9,000