Anybody finding any Clay Pigeons

[brauem]

hi,

im wondering if anyone out there has found clay pigeons while diving? Seems like i run accross them from time to time and wondered how often others have seen them. I started to collect them... Anybody else collect them? Id love to see them if you have a camera and can post a picture ... mike (brauec@gmail.com)

 

[Mambo Dave]

I don't think I'd ever take the time to collect up clay pigeons... but in the ocean they'd be turned into particles of sand before long anyhow.

 

[Detroit Mudpuppy]

Quite often I have come across clay pidgeons but I dont bother taking them unless they are unique. In the mid to late 1800's the sportsmen and shooting enthusiast would use hand blown glass target balls. If I found one of these while diving I would calmly and carefully put it in my goodie bag and end the dive immediately to bring my treasure to safety!

Here is a link to some photos of these early target balls.
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Happy Hunting

 

[Mambo Dave]

Now those glass balls are sure neat...

 

[Dale M]

All these years of hunting (deer, birds, etc. not treasure) and I've never heard of target balls before. If I came across one I would have thought it was a Christmas ornament.

 

[Oyster Diver]

Those targets are cool. Where can I find some?

 

[Dale M]

I don't know how long ago the glass balls were used but here's where you could start:

"For 79 years, members of the Lincoln Park Gun Club gathered at a skeet shooting range just north of downtown Chicago, firing at clay pigeons lofted into the air above Lake Michigan. The shattered targets and the lead shotgun pellets fell into the lake."

They say the clay pigeons and lead created a layer some 12' deep on the lake's bottom. You'd have to dig pretty deep to get to the glass targets if any were ever used there.

 

[Detroit Mudpuppy]

Was not my intention to change the subject of the OP but these target balls were the forerunners to the clay pidgeons and are highly prized among specialist collectors. With values of $100.00 + for common examples to over $10,000.00 + for rare examples, I would consider these to be truely rare treasures that can be found by divers.

Where would I look to find these? I would start by researching locations of early (1850-1890) waterfront hunting lodges and hotels frequented by the well to do patrons of the day. This would narrow the search considerably.
Good luck hunting