Shakespeare Purist X-4

The Blue Beauty: 
The Shakespeare Purist X4

by Larry Vienneau

The Purist X4 was the only Shakespeare Bow that had a similar name in the Shakespeare Fishing line: Shakespeare Purist Fly Rod. 

Lewis Kent's beautiful Purist X4

    There is absolutely no information about the X4 available through online sources, however, I did find one Ad in a 1975 Archery Magazine.  I also have two catalogs with information. I have sent emails and written inquiries to Shakespeare about their Archery Line. All were dead ends though I did get a pleasant phone call from a customer service representative who was sympathetic. She knew folks in the old Archery Division of Shakespeare, however over the years the company has downsized and specialized in their prime market; their fishing gear. Most of the people in the archery line are now dead or unable to provide help. The company has relocated several times and anything not associated with the new company mission was destroyed. She did say that they would keep my letter and would let me know if anything turned up.

     I believe this bow was designed by Owen Jeffery. I found an auction for a Jeffery Enterprise The Graduate model 102 which is identical to the Shakespeare The Graduate X6, the sister bow to the Purest.  

Owen Jeffery took over for Ernie Root when Shakespeare moved operations from Kalamazoo MI to Columbia SC where Jeffery is from.  I don’t own the X4 but my good friend Lewis Kent does own a beautiful example of the model.

Shakespeare Purist X4

• 1974-75
• AMO 66”
• Weight 20-35
• Pistol grip Riser. Blue Wonderwood
• White Glass
• Limbs 1 3/4inch
• Stabilizer insert
• Sight window 6 ½
• Blue overlays
• Flipper-style rest
• Shakespeare Foil Medallion
• brace height 8 1/2 inch - 9 1/2 inch 
• optional M-430 sight
• optional M-24 stabilizer  

The Purest X4 was one of Shakespeare last target bows. When Ernie Root was designing for Shakespeare, their archery line had some of the finest target bows on the market, such as the Professional X10, The Titan X15, and the Supreme x16. all of which went out of production in 1971. The Purist x4 was introduced in 1974 and was Shakespeare effort to re-enter the competitive recurve bow market.

detail of the Blue Wonderwood

    The Purist was a beautiful entry-level tournament bow. The Purist riser is one solid piece of maple dyed blue with matching blue limb overlays. Dying wood for use as risers was a common practice in the 70s, Bear archery first dyed a few bow risers green in 1972 and called it "Futurewood".  In 1973 Shakespeare began to dye a few risers too calling their dyed wood "Wonderwood”.

Shakespeare really had no apparent logic to their X model numbers. This bow obviously was made 1974-75 after the invention of “Wonderwood” however the numbering (X4) suggests it is an early bow but the X15 is from 1961-67. Confused yet? Remember this is the 60s, need I say more?

      Despite the obvious problems in understanding the model numbers and dates, the aesthetics of the Purest is remarkable. It is truly unique. The use of blue Wonderwood set this bow apart from other Shakespeares, Bears, and all other bows of the period. The color of the bow ranges from deep blue to bluish turquoise, and finally an earthy Sienna. The tip overlays are a vivid blue. Lewis was excited about this bow, and he had good reason to be, it is very distinctive and striking. Shakespeare produced some of the most beautiful bows of this era but this bow is in a class by itself.
It is a rare beauty.

June 1975 Purist Ad in ARCHERY magazine

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

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