Target

Target, in its modern sense, is the mark for aiming at in practising with the cannon, rifle, or bow and arrow. In its more ancient meaning a target or targe was a shield, circular in form, cut out of ox-hide, mounted on light but strong wood, and strengthened by bosses, spikes, &c. Of modern targets the simplest is that used for Archery (q.v.). With regard to rifle targets, the spread of the Volunteer movement and the numerous rifle-matches have caused ranges to be constructed over the whole country. Targets are usually painted white and have a black 'bull's-eye' in the centre (varying from 8 inches diameter in targets at 200 yards to 3 feet at 1000 yards), and a region round this called 'centre.' The accessories are a butt, artificially constructed or cut in the face of a hill, to catch stray shots; a marker's shot-proof cell, near the targets; and a range of such length as can be procured. Previous to the inaugurating of the Wimbledon meeting in 1860 all targets were circular, and made of iron. From that year till 1873 inclusive they were square iron plates; but in 1874 targets of canvas and paper stretched on an iron frame were introduced, together with practice at objects moving at various rates of speed and at a greater or less distance, for which purpose a 'running-man target' was devised, consisting of a millboard figure running on wires, worked by the marker in the butt. There are also self-marking or automatic targets, constructed of several pieces, each of which when struck signals the fact; and disappearing targets, only visible to the firer for very short periods of time. For these and for field firing, targets take the form of flat wooden dummies shaped like men standing or kneeling. Dummies are also used as targets for field artillery practice. Heavy guns firing on a sea-range generally use a floating target, a barrel carrying a flag or a 6-feet-square wooden target on a raft.