SHAKESPEARE PECOS X-23

The only Ad I have found on the Pecos X-23 1971

SHAKESPEARE PECOS X-23

by Larry Vienneau

The Pecos X 23, like all Shakespeare Hunting bows, was named after a wilderness area - The Pecos Wilderness. This is a wilderness area within the Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest and is part of Pecos National Historical Park a National Historical Park east of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Shakespeare Pecos X 23: late 1960s 1971

• 58” AMO
• Bow weights 40-55 Lbs
• Limbs: 2 inch, (1 5/8 inch in unknown 1960s model)
• Sight window 4 inch
• Riser pistol style – Imbuya, or Rosewood or Cocobolo,
• Overlays:  Imbuya or rosewood
• Glass: brown or mustard (yellow-brown)
• Brace height: 8 1/2 inch
• arrow speed 177 FPS. 

     The Pecos X23 is a bit of a mystery. I have scoured the internet and have found very little on this bow. There are basic descriptions on a few auction sites but very there is little that is helpful. There are a few good photos of the bow online but there is no information about how long the bow was made. There is nothing on performance or details about the bow. It is a very scarce bow, but there is no information about why it is scarce. It was only made in 1971 and only appears in the 1971 catalog. So this blog post might be the only real resource for collectors available online, I hope I can answer some questions about the bow, and of course, if anyone knows anything that they think is helpful please let me know.

1971 Pecos

     At 58” inches and 2 inches wide limbs (width change later to 1 5/8), the Pecos was designed as a hunting and field bow.  The bow was built in draw weights of 40-55 pounds but there could have been heavier weights. The Pecos appear to be very similar in design to the later Necedahs, the Manitou, Super Necedah, Mancos, Wambaw, and Sierra.  All of these bows are 58” or shorter, all have a pistol grip riser, and most have relatively wide limbs. In 1971 The Pecos was 58’ AMO and had 2-inch wide limbs. These two traits result in a very smooth drawing bow. Many of these bows were designed and produced in the late 1960s – early 1970s. The only Ad of the Pecos featured it in 1971 with Shakespeare’s finest bows, The Super Necedah, Kaibab, and the Ocala. It was most likely considered a high-quality bow. The fact that there aren’t many out there could mean that they were out-competed by the new compounds which were introduced in 1972. Interestingly, I have found more Pecos in German auctions than North American auctions. Maybe the compound had a slower start there? Or perhaps they were brought there by US military personnel.

Lewis Kent's Light Brown Pecos X-23 and old buck logo (pre-1970)

 

Lewis Kent's Pecos with the new Buck logo (post-1970)

The Pecos show up occasionally on auction sites. So far this year 2013 there were two in auction at the same time on eBay. My friend Lewis Kent won both of these right-handed Pecos bow, yes I am jealous. I have been trying to get my hands on a lefty which is also scarce. He has let me use them to write this review. I am basing my review on comparisons to similar bows and direct observations. I recently acquired own all the Shakespeare Catalogs. The Pecos is only listed in the 1971 catalog and one of Lewis's bow is different than the catalog descriptions.

Pecos X23 with 1970 date. "M' indicates it was 

pre-produced in 1970 or 1971 catalogs bows have different riser shapes and glass colors. The limbs are also slightly slimmer. One of his bows has Rosewood Riser. The catalog shows a bow similar to Lewis's Pecos with dark brown glass. Since I have all of the Shakespeare catalogs, I can not figure out where the Rosewood Riser and lighter Glass fit since it only appears in 1971. Interestingly the two versions have two different Pecos logo designs, one that typically appears on bows in the 1960s and another with the logo from the 1970s. 

 The Pecos is unique because it is one of the few Shakespeare bows to use Rosewood or Cocobolo riser.  The few bows I found online have two different glasses; dark and light mustard brown.  It seems that this bow had been produced in a few varieties and Lewis has two of them.

All online referenced Pecos was 58” so it seems that the varieties were glass differences with slight variations in the riser length and the width of the tip overlays.  However, on closer inspection, these bows have many subtitle differences. The overlays are most likely Imbuya or rosewood.  

• The Light Brown Pecos tip overlay is 5/8 inch; the Dark Brown Pecos tip overlay is 7/8 inch.
• Both these bows have 1 5/8 wide limbs.
• The light Pecos riser is 20 inches long while the Dark Pecos riser is 19 inches.
• The Light Pecos shooting window thickness is 5/8 and the Dark Pecos is ½ inch.  
• Each bow has a different Buck Logo Design

Comparison of Lewis Kent's bows- between the Light Brown and Dark Brown Pecos X-23

Lewis had to do some refinishing work on one of the risers. He mentioned that the drying time on the riser was longer than expected. Rosewood has unusual resins and oils and it does react differently than other woods due to finishes and stains. It is a safe bet that this is a Rosewood riser. I have no idea how much this bow cost when it was new but Rosewood bows are generally more expensive because the wood is more costly. So the Pecos was not a novice or entry-level bow, it was most likely offered as a mid to higher-quality bow. Shakespeare also sold this bow as part of a Hunting Set- 45 lb. Pecos X23 bow, 1/2 dozen target arrows, 1/2 dozen hunting arrows, clip-on bow quiver, back quiver, Shooting gloves, arm-guard, "ABC of archery booklet"  and target face for about $89.00- WOW what a deal!!!!!!!

The Pecos is remarkably beautiful. The lines of the bow are inspired by Ernie Root Design. The Rosewood riser is unique in Shakespeare Archery. Ocala, Kaibab, and Super Necedah have always been considered the finest examples of Shakespeare archery design. I think we need to make room for the little-known Pecos. Lewis still has a bit of work to do on these beauties so I will have to wait patiently to see these bows shoot. 

my 1971 Pecos X21, one of my best shooting bows

(August 15 2013) I finally have my lefty Pecos. I found it through one of the archery forums. It is the dark brown glass variety. It does need a little work which can wait. I have been testing my bows all summer to ascertain which models are the best most reliable shooters.  I shot 300-round sets from 20 yards over the summer. All of my bows shot very well. The surprise winners are my Cascade X29 and Pecos X23 in a tie. Pecos was the final victor because it scored more bulls-eyes. I also tested its speed. it shoots at over 177 FPS. It took me years to find this Pecos, it was worth the wait!!!

Thanks to Lewis Kent for letting me use his beautiful bows!!!    

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