The target area of the northern of two rifle ranges at Machynys (NPRN 413307). The Ordnance Survey First Edition plan of 1879 shows a target (probably portable) in front of a wall or screen at this location. A mantelet, or marker's shelter, was also portrayed (420185). The target area was developed on the same site in the 1890s as a target within an enclosed area 10m square, in contrast to the substantial earthwork structure of its neighbour (420183). But by 1915-16 it had developed largely into the structure visible today, though it was possibly refurbished some time later. It is now the greater of the two target areas. It comprises two massive linear banks some 30m long (N-S). The eastern bank - the stop butt - is the more masive of the two. It is some 4m-5m high at its north end reducing to about 3.5m above rising ground on the south. It is revetted on its east side by stone walling on its south, for 17m of its length, and by concrete on the north. It is buttressed by stone or concrete on the south, concrete on the north, brick parapet on the south but concrete on the north. A rectangular structure portrayed at the rear of the revetment is represented now by a concrete slab.
Its parallel bank - the target mound - is some 5m wide and 3m high. Between the two mounds is the target gallery, 4m wide accessed by steps descending at the south end. Down its centre is a largely infilled slit trench which once supported the targets. Twelve pairs of sawn-off steel uprights (round and angle) can still be seen above the trench. The east side of the gallery is faced with concrete buttressed brick walling (the inner revetment to the stop butt) and the west side by an open passage 1.2m wide and 1.95m high divided into six bays between brick piers which support the roof, the inner wall also reveting the target mound.

David Leighton, RCAHMW, 20 June 2014