THE MANCOS
MODEL X-40
One of
Shakespeare’s Last Bows?
by
Larry Vienneau
Like all of the Wonderbows, this one was named after a
wilderness region. Mancos is a Spanish word meaning "one-armed or one-handed, crippled". The name Mancos refers to the crippled condition of the
Spanish explorers' horses after they crossed the San Juan Mountains. Mancos
Region was once a large National Forest but is now a complex of Nature
Preserves -Mancos State Park, Montezuma National Forest, and Juan National
Forest in Southwestern Colorado and is a magnet for the year-round outdoor
enthusiast.
As a 58" bow, it was a cheaper version of The
Necedah x28 and The Cascade x29 with no tip overlays and a slightly different
riser shape. The riser appears to be a mahogany or cherry. It is a surprisingly
well-designed bow and was intended as an entry-level bow for the bow-hunter.
Introduced in 1975, it never became popular because it was marketed at the dawn
of the compound bow and it was one of the last models produced by Shakespeare.
Shakespeare was a multifaceted Cooperation and the company closed its archery
line in 1976 when it was obvious that archery would be dominated by the
compound bow.
There is very little information available about this
bow. Most information can be found on auction sites and blogs. The Last version had olive green limbs and was briefly offered in 1976, it seems to be a scarce model and it could be one of
the last bows made by Shakespeare.
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| 1975 Shakespeare Catalog description |
MANCOS Model x40
- 1975-76
- AMO 58” AMO
- Brace height - 8 ¾”.
- Weights #40 #45, #50, #55
- Limbs 1 5/8 wide
- Shooting window 5 inch
- Black Glass. Green Glass (scarce variety)
- Arrow speed-12 shots average, 410-grain arrow, 55# bow 176.18 FPS
I own a handsome Mancos Black Glass 58 AMO #55, I have noticed
the price on this bow has increased in auctions lately; I paid double what I
expected but the bidding is getting higher than it was just a year ago. (
Hunger Games effect?) I have found this bow to be extremely easy to shoot, with
very little hand shock and no stacking at 28”.
It is accurate and hard-hitting. I enjoy this bow very much and would
recommend it to the novice or expert.
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| My 55# Mancos |
October 4th, 2012: Today I came home to find my Mancos bow had arrived. It is in excellent condition but needs a little work. I open the mail and discovered that my Mancos Ad had also arrived....a happy coincidence!!!
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| 1975 Mancos Ad |
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| Green Glass Variety |
© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.
All rights reserved.