POTD: Reinventing Trap Shooting – The Mossberg Targo
Sam.S 11.14.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! In 1940, an intriguing new shooting sport called Targo appeared – miniature skeet. The goal of Targo? Smashing a tiny 2 11/16” clay “bird” flung from a special trap, using a .22 caliber shotshell. Strange as it sounds, Mossberg jumped into promoting this wholeheartedly. They made specialized smoothbore guns like the Model 42TR, and sold complete kits with traps and targets. Hitting such a small target with .22 shot measuring barely more than a period was undoubtedly challenging. While its popularity is unclear, some competitive versions emerged, even seeing use by Canada’s Air Force for training. By the 1960s production ended, but the novelty of micro-skeet briefly lived on with companies like Remington eyeing similar miniature target games. Though a niche sport, this exemplified the inventiveness of arms makers seeking new shooting pursuits.
“Manufacturer: Mossberg O F & Sons Inc
Model: 42
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 22
Barrel: 20 inch round
Finish: blue
Stock: hardwood
Manufactured between 1940 and 1942.”
Lot 5443: Four Mossberg Rifles. (n.d.-bg). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1024/5443/four-mossberg-rifles.
