Proline / Shakespeare bows

After Shakespeare - 
Proline / Shakespeare bows

by Larry Vienneau

 

Shakespeare closed its line of archery equipment in 1976. Shakespeare's Archery division was only part of the Shakespeare Corporation and they decided to get out of the archery field when it became apparent that the market was headed to the development of the compound bow. ProLine is a direct descendant of Shakespeare and later Darton archery. Proline was another fine Michigan archery company. Shakespeare added Golden Eagle Proline as a high-end target division to develop bows like the Golden Eagle. They built recurves for Shakespeare 1960-mid 1970, and later compounds and accessories through the 90s. They were acquired by Darton Archery in the late 1990s. They have since tried to re-establish themselves once or twice since Darton owned the brand, the last incarnation was in 2002. Many of Shakespeare’s  UN-marketed “Bird Of Prey” bow designs were marketed by Proline such as the Shakespeare Osprey, Condor, and Eaglet. Golden Eagle as well as other of their established bow designs were also sold. Proline made modifications but the Shakespeare profile is unmistakable. Proline continued while Shakespeare Archery division closed down. At first, both company logos appeared on the bows. Eventually an "S" appeared before "Proline". Proline stopped making recurves in late 1970 and in 1979 it adopted the compound trend and stopped making recurves.

Archery Research Inc was a division of Root Archery

ProLine 'Condor' – Ocala Kaibab profile

60"AMO The 2" wide limbs make a very stable shooting bow. It had a synthetic black/hardwood riser wood, it looks like black phenolic w Bubinga or Shedua.  Exotic wood tip overlays add strength and beauty. Factory-installed stabilizer or accessory insert beneath the grip. Adjustable pressure plate through the riser. Black Glass

Proline Osprey

Proline ‘Osprey’

 54" and looks a lot like a Shakespeare Super Necedah, It had a synthetic black/hardwood riser wood that looks like black phenolic w Bubinga or Shedua. 2-inch limbs and broad tips Black Glass. It is a hunting bow that came in weights of 40-45 pounds. It is also light in the hand. Stacked at 29-30 inches. Reviewed in June 1972 BOW AND ARROW magazine as a quality bow.

thanks to Jim Ulery

thanks to Jim Ulery

thanks to Jim Ulery

thanks to Jim Ulery

Golden Eagle Target takedown.

An Ernie Root design.  Metal riser. The bow is 69" and a top-quality target bow.

 

Wayne Kiggens Shakespeare/ Proline Eaglet

Eaglet with white glass

Eaglet- Sierra profile

52” hunting bow. This bow is identical to a Sierra except for the wood overlay tips and green glass. This WAS the Sierra with modifications. Design for younger hunters it was the bow choice of many schools and recreational centers. It came in white glass as a target bow in weights from twenty to thirty-five pounds and as a hunting bow with green glass to forty-five pounds. Like the Sierra, it is an excellent shooting, quiet, and durable bow. The brace height is 81/2 inches. No stacking at higher draw lengths. Reviewed in June 1972 BOW AND ARROW magazine as a quality bow.

June 1972 BOW AND ARROW

June 1972 BOW AND ARROW

June 1972 BOW AND ARROW

June 1972 BOW AND ARROW

June 1972 BOW AND ARROW

© Copyright, Larry Vienneau Jr.

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