Elephant Target

Elephant Target

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Description
Mechanical shooting gallery target in the shape of an elephant. The target was made by M.F. Mangels Co., a Coney Island, NY firm whose namesake invented such notable amusement park rides asThe Whip and as well as producing standard attractions like carousels and shooting galleries.
Arcade shooting galleries featured cast-iron targets attached to moving conveyer belts. Customers would shoot at the targets with BBs or real ammunition. An operator would keep track of the number successfull shots, and if a certain number was reached, the contestant would win a prize.
Shooting galleries continue to be used in arcades, carnivals and amusement parks. Today, ammunition usually consists of a beam of light or stream of water.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Target
arcade target
date made
ca 1900
maker
Mangels, William F.
place made
United States: New York, Brooklyn, Coney Island
Physical Description
metal, iron (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 6 1/2 in x 3 1/4 in x 2 in; 16.51 cm x 8.255 cm x 5.08 cm
ID Number
1985.0812.01
accession number
1985.0812
catalog number
1985.0812.01
Credit Line
Richard J. Coulter
subject
Amusement Parks
Carnivals
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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